[ad_1]
A judge on Sunday denied bond for a registered sex offender accused of kidnapping an 11-year-old boy and holding him for several days in Flagler County, authorities said.Darnell Hairston, 60, of Hastings, made his first court appearance following his arrest after deputies said a routine traffic stop on Dec. 31 led to the rescue of the missing child.According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a white Ford F-150 on U.S. Highway 1 near Whiteview Drive in Bunnell after a caller reported suspicious activity. Investigators said Hairston and two juveniles were inside the vehicle.Once deputies separated the 11-year-old from Hairston, the child immediately told them he had been kidnapped, was in danger and feared for his life, investigators said. The boy, who had been missing for three days, was taken to a local hospital.Sheriff’s deputies said the child told investigators that Hairston lured him to a wooded campsite in Flagler Estates, where he was choked unconscious. When he regained consciousness, the boy said he was threatened with a knife and a firearm, tied with shoelaces and an extension cord, and gagged with duct tape.Authorities said the child was held for multiple days and forced to hide on the floorboard of Hairston’s truck, covered by a blanket, while being transported.Also in the truck was a 15-year-old boy who authorities said fled from deputies during the traffic stop, rammed a patrol vehicle and crashed. He faces multiple charges and is in the custody of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Investigators said the teen is being investigated as a possible co-conspirator.According to an arrest report, the 11-year-old and the 15-year-old were part of a Snapchat group chat in which the younger child warned others that Hairston was a sexual predator. Sheriff Rick Staly said investigators believe the information may be connected to a sexual assault investigation involving Hairston in neighboring St. Johns County.“It appears they concocted a plan to lure the 11-year-old to this rural area and then kidnap him,” Staly said. “What they were going to do after that, we don’t know.”Search warrants were executed on Hairston’s vehicle, his Hastings residence and the campsite with assistance from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. They recovered duct tape, weapons and video surveillance equipment consistent with the child’s statements, authorities said.Hairston initially was arrested on charges including resisting arrest and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. Following a major case investigation, additional charges were filed, including kidnapping of a child under 13, aggravated child abuse, battery by strangulation and robbery with a deadly weapon.Hairston is being held without bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. The investigation remains active, and authorities said additional charges are possible.
A judge on Sunday denied bond for a registered sex offender accused of kidnapping an 11-year-old boy and holding him for several days in Flagler County, authorities said.
Darnell Hairston, 60, of Hastings, made his first court appearance following his arrest after deputies said a routine traffic stop on Dec. 31 led to the rescue of the missing child.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a white Ford F-150 on U.S. Highway 1 near Whiteview Drive in Bunnell after a caller reported suspicious activity.
Investigators said Hairston and two juveniles were inside the vehicle.
Once deputies separated the 11-year-old from Hairston, the child immediately told them he had been kidnapped, was in danger and feared for his life, investigators said. The boy, who had been missing for three days, was taken to a local hospital.
Sheriff’s deputies said the child told investigators that Hairston lured him to a wooded campsite in Flagler Estates, where he was choked unconscious. When he regained consciousness, the boy said he was threatened with a knife and a firearm, tied with shoelaces and an extension cord, and gagged with duct tape.
Authorities said the child was held for multiple days and forced to hide on the floorboard of Hairston’s truck, covered by a blanket, while being transported.
Also in the truck was a 15-year-old boy who authorities said fled from deputies during the traffic stop, rammed a patrol vehicle and crashed. He faces multiple charges and is in the custody of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Investigators said the teen is being investigated as a possible co-conspirator.
According to an arrest report, the 11-year-old and the 15-year-old were part of a Snapchat group chat in which the younger child warned others that Hairston was a sexual predator.
Sheriff Rick Staly said investigators believe the information may be connected to a sexual assault investigation involving Hairston in neighboring St. Johns County.
“It appears they concocted a plan to lure the 11-year-old to this rural area and then kidnap him,” Staly said. “What they were going to do after that, we don’t know.”
Search warrants were executed on Hairston’s vehicle, his Hastings residence and the campsite with assistance from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. They recovered duct tape, weapons and video surveillance equipment consistent with the child’s statements, authorities said.
Hairston initially was arrested on charges including resisting arrest and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. Following a major case investigation, additional charges were filed, including kidnapping of a child under 13, aggravated child abuse, battery by strangulation and robbery with a deadly weapon.
Hairston is being held without bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. The investigation remains active, and authorities said additional charges are possible.
[ad_2]