A woman who endured the terrifying ordeal of being kidnapped over two decades ago is now breaking her silence following the recent arrest of Darnell Hairston. This registered sex offender, notorious for his violent past, is once again making headlines for allegedly abducting and assaulting an 11-year-old boy in St. Johns County.
In St. Johns County, Florida, Amanda Green, a 46-year-old mother of three, was deeply shaken upon hearing about Hairston’s latest criminal accusations. The news hit home, dredging up haunting memories of her own abduction by Hairston years ago. “My heart shattered when I saw what happened to this child,” Green expressed, reflecting on her own experience. “At 22, I felt devastated, and I can’t even fathom the trauma this young boy is enduring. It breaks my heart for him, and I know from my own experience, it’s something you never truly get over.”
Hairston, who was known to Green as a family friend, had a previous conviction for sexually assaulting a child when he set his sights on her. The memories of that fateful day in April 1999 remain vivid for Green, as she recalls being lured into the woods by him in St. Johns County. “I had just welcomed a new baby into the world,” she recounts, “with an 18-month-old and a 4-month-old at home. The fear tightened its grip on me when I caught him peering through my window while I was asleep.”
Green’s story serves as a chilling reminder of the lasting impact of such crimes and underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders. Her voice lends strength to the ongoing conversation about the justice system’s role in preventing further victimization by those with a history of sexual violence.
Green says Hairston, a family friend at the time, had previously been convicted of sexually assaulting a child when he targeted her. She recalls the day in April 1999 when he lured her into the woods in St. Johns County.
“I had just had another new baby,” she said. “I had an 18-month-old and a 4-month-old. I caught him looking in my window while I was sleeping.”
The next day, she said, Hairston offered her groceries and asked her to drive with him into the woods, where he attacked her with a stun gun and threatened her children. He forced her to call her mother and warn her not to contact police. Despite the threat, authorities chased Hairston down. He eventually abandoned Green and her children in a wooded area, where officers later rescued them.
Court records show Hairston was arrested in 1999 and initially charged with three counts of kidnapping with a weapon. He was later deemed incompetent to stand trial and was committed to a mental health facility. In 2004, Hairston pleaded guilty to lesser charges of false imprisonment with a weapon. Sentenced to 12 years, he was released five years later in 2009 after receiving credit for time served.
“I begged them not to do that,” Green said. “I’ve been scared ever since, scared that he’d come across one of my children and make me pay the price for telling on him back then.”
Now 60, Hairston is again behind bars. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office says he lured an 11-year-old boy to a wooded campsite, where he strangled and restrained him for several days. The child was rescued during a traffic stop in Flagler County on New Year’s Eve.
“Getting lured into the woods, it’s like the same exact story,” Green said.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly sent a statement to First Coast News saying as the investigation continues, there could be other victims:
“We are actively investigating Hairston’s background, and I would not be surprised to learn there are more victims. In my 50 years of law enforcement, my experience is that sex offenders do not stop for 20 years and then start reoffending again. I encourage anyone who has been victimized by this pervert to contact their local law enforcement.”
Hairston is being held at the Flagler County Jail without bond on charges including kidnapping, aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation.
Green says she hopes this time justice will be permanent.
“I definitely hope that he is locked away for good,” she said. “That he’s never able to get out, to ever do this to another human being.”
She also had a message for the young victim and his family.
“Be patient,” she said. “It’s going to take him a long time to get over this.”
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Hairston to contact their local law enforcement agency. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is also actively investigating Hairston and can be contacted by calling (904) 824-8304 or emailing crimetips@sjso.org.
