A New Year's Eve traffic stop in Flagler County, Florida, turned into what authorities called a "miracle" after deputies rescued an 11-year-old boy who had been reported missing and arrested a registered sex offender and a teenager investigators believe may have helped kidnap the child.
The case began with a 911 call on Dec. 31 from a community member who told dispatch they had seen a known sex offender with two children in a truck and believed the situation looked suspicious, reports Newsmax crime correspondent Jason Mattera on "Wake Up America."
Deputies stopped the vehicle and found 60-year-old Darnell Hairston, along with a 15-year-old and an 11-year-old who had been reported missing three days earlier, according to the sheriff's office.
The occupants were separated, and deputies spoke with the younger boy alone after sensing something was wrong, officials said.
The child told deputies he went into the woods to meet the 15-year-old, was strangled until he lost consciousness, and woke up with duct tape over his mouth and his hands tied with shoelaces, authorities said.
As deputies moved in to detain Hairston, he ran from officers and at one point tried to grab a deputy's firearm, according to the report described by Mattera.
In a second unexpected turn, officials said the 15-year-old got into the pickup truck, drove off, and nearly struck a deputy, triggering a pursuit.
The teen later rammed a patrol vehicle and crashed into a wooded area before being taken into custody, authorities said. Hairston was also detained.
Investigators believe Hairston and the teenager may have been working together in the alleged kidnapping.
"That's why the sheriff is calling the traffic stop miraculous, because without it, this child may not be alive today," Mattera reported.
Sheriff Rick Staly credited both the caller and the deputies for the outcome.
"It's a New Year's Eve miracle that our deputies were in the right place at the right time," he said.
Mattera said the case highlights the importance of residents reporting suspicious behavior, noting the tip may have saved the child's life.
Charges and specific counts were not detailed in the on-air report. Mattera said Hairston could face a lengthy prison sentence in Florida if convicted.
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