Missing child found with registered sex offender during traffic stop, deputies say

Missing child found with registered sex offender, deputies say

Two people were arrested, and a missing child was located following a traffic stop that escalated into a vehicle pursuit and crash across western Flagler County, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said.

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. - Two people were arrested, and a missing child was located following a traffic stop that escalated into a vehicle pursuit and crash across western Flagler County, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies stopped a white Ford F-150 on U.S. Highway 1 near Whiteview Drive on Wednesday morning after a caller reported suspicious activity. 

The backstory:

The driver of the Ford F-150, identified as Darnell Hairston, 60, of Hastings, was with two passengers who are minors. 

During the stop, deputies determined one of the kids had been reported missing in St. Johns County and secured the child in a patrol vehicle.

Dashcam: Florida man found with 2 kids in truck runs from deputies

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said deputies conducted a traffic stop early Wednesday morning after someone reported suspicious activity. Deputies pulled over a truck on US Highway 1 and found a 60-year-old man and two minors. One of those minors was reported missing out of St. Johns County. As deputies were investigating, the man attempted to flee, but was quickly tackled. At the same time, a 15-year-old hopped in the driver's seat of the truck and took off, nearly running over one deputy's foot in the process. That teenager eventually drove off the road, crashed, and flipped the truck on State Road 100.

Investigators said Hairston then fled on foot and struggled with deputies, attempting to grab a deputy’s firearm before being caught and handcuffed. He was arrested on charges including resisting an officer with violence and attempting to deprive an officer of a firearm.

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While Hairston was being arrested, one of the passengers — a 15-year-old boy — got back into the truck and fled, nearly striking a deputy. 

Deputies pursued the vehicle along U.S. 1 and State Road 100. Near the Putnam County line, authorities said the teenager entered oncoming traffic and intentionally struck a deputy’s patrol car, causing both vehicles to crash into a wooded area and the truck to roll over. The teen was nabbed after exiting the truck.

Dashcam: 15-year-old crashes, flips car amid law enforcement pursuit, deputies say

Flagler County deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dec. 31 on US Highway 1, near Whiteview Drive. Someone called 911 to report suspicious activity. Deputies found a 60-year-old man and 2 minors in the truck. One of those children were reported missing out of St. Johns County, deputies said. The other was 15. During the traffic stop, the 60-year-old man attempted to run from deputies and was quickly tackled and arrested. At the same time, the 15-year-old hopped back into the van and drove away, leading deputies on a brief chase, before crashing along State Road 100. This portion of the dashcam video shows the crash.

The teen, which FOX 35 is not naming because he is a minor, was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, driving without a license and resisting an officer without violence. 

Hairston is being held without bond pending his first appearance. The teen was evaluated by medical personnel and was not injured. He has been turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

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Two deputies suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from AdventHealth Palm Coast.  A second deputy’s patrol car also struck an automotive repair building in Bunnell during the incident.

Authorities said Hairston is a registered sexual offender with a prior prison sentence and an extensive arrest history. The investigation remains ongoing, including the relationship between Hairston, the 15-year-old boy, and the recovered child.