Traffic Stop in Flagler County Leads to Recovery of Missing Child and Arrest

In a significant development on Wednesday morning, law enforcement in Flagler County successfully located a missing juvenile during a routine traffic stop. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies intercepted a Ford F-150 on U.S. Highway 1 near Whiteview Drive following a tip-off regarding suspicious activity.

Upon stopping the vehicle, officers identified the driver as 60-year-old Darnell Hairston from Hastings, a registered sex offender. Accompanying him were two juveniles, leading to immediate scrutiny by the deputies.

Authorities requested all occupants to exit the vehicle for questioning. It was during this process that one of the juveniles was identified as a missing person from St. Johns County.

According to the sheriff’s office, as deputies attempted to gather more details, Hairston made a sudden attempt to flee. He dashed into the roadway, tripping in the process. A brief struggle ensued during which Hairston allegedly tried to seize a deputy’s firearm. Deputies quickly subdued and captured him.

In the midst of this chaotic scene, the second juvenile, identified as 15-year-old Junior Bishop of Hastings, seized the opportunity to return to the truck. He then drove off, narrowly avoiding a collision with one of the deputies, as stated by the sheriff’s office.

But while deputies were busy catching Hairston, the other juvenile — identified as 15-year-old Junior Bishop of Hastings — got back into the truck and drove off, nearly striking a deputy in the roadway, the sheriff’s office stated.

According to investigators, this kick-started a chase along U.S. 1, which eventually carried over to State Road 100.

“As the vehicle apprehension neared the Putnam County line, a deputy passed Bishop on the left and got in front of his vehicle in an attempt to stop him,” the release continues. “Bishop then briefly entered the eastbound lane into oncoming traffic, then re-entered the westbound lane and purposely rammed into the deputy’s patrol vehicle, causing both vehicles to crash into the wood line and Bishop’s vehicle to roll over.”

During this time, a second deputy lost control of his patrol vehicle and crashed into an auto repair shop in Bunnell, deputies announced.

Once Bishop got out of the crashed truck, though, he was taken into custody. Now, he faces charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, driving without a license, and resisting an officer without violence.

Meanwhile, Hairston faces charges of resisting an officer with violence and attempting to deprive a law enforcement officer of a firearm.

“This was a very suspicious incident that is still under investigation by our detectives, but I am thankful that nobody was seriously hurt and that we were able to recover a missing child from this pervert’s grasp,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I also do not understand why a pervert who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2004 was released after only five years in 2009. Clearly, he has not learned anything!”

According to the sheriff’s office, Hairston had been serving a 12-year sentence for three counts of false imprisonment.

Deputies also said he has previous arrests for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary with assault/battery, cruelty toward wife, disorderly intoxication, lewd/lascivious offenses committed upon a child, property damage and sexual battery.

Investigators stated that Hairston is being held without bond until first appearance, while Bishop will be turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice after being booked.

No additional information has been provided at this time.