Augusta, GA
Business raises money for 3-year-old kidnapping victim’s recovery in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A South Carolina business is raising money for a 3-year-old who is recovering at Augusta Burn Center, after deputies say his father set a truck on fire while he was still inside.
Under The Carolina Moon announced that they are selling specially designed shirts to raise money for Bennett, 3, who is currently at the Augusta Burn Center receiving care for 3rd degree burns that cover 90% of his body, according to a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of his family.
Bennett’s father, 31-year-old Joshua Dornellas, is accused of violently assaulting Bennett’s mother on May 8 before kidnapping the boy and then leading officials on a chase across state lines.
Dornellas set a truck on fire with Bennett inside and then jumped through the window trying to evade officials, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Dornellas was later arrested in Georgia.
Bennett’s family gave an update Thursday stating that he has undergone multiple surgeries since the incident, including ones to amputate his toes and parts of the fingers on his right hand.
According to Under The Carolina Moon, all the proceeds from the new shirt will go to Bennett and his family to help during his recovery.
Bennett’s family says he is still in critical but stable condition and will remain at the Augusta Burn Center for at least six months.
Those interested in purchasing the shirt can find details about it here.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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