Update: Late Monday afternoon CNN shared some extraordinary news from officials with the child hostage standoff in Alabama. CNN says: "Law enforcement source: A 5-year-old boy held hostage nearly a week is safe, and the man who held him hostage is dead."
The situation with the child hostage in Alabama has now entered its seventh day, and so far there is no sign of a resolution in this difficult case. Young Ethan, a 5-year-old kindergartener who is autistic, has been held in an underground bunker by Jimmy Lee Dykes since last Tuesday. CNN shared the latest updates on Feb. 4.
The Midland City, Ala. child hostage situation has been ongoing since Dykes stormed onto a school bus, shot driver Charles Albert Poland Jr., and took off with young Ethan. Though authorities are keeping many details close to the vest, the boy is believed to be safe and negotiators are in contact with Dykes.
Reuters notes that Ethan's birthday is Wednesday, and everyone following this story hopes that somehow he can be reunited with his family by then. Jimmy Lee Dykes has allowed officials to send down medication, toys and coloring books to Ethan, but so far there is no word what it will take to resolve the child hostage situation in Alabama and get Ethan back to the safety of his family.
The funeral for Poland was held on Sunday, and schools throughout the area will open again on Tuesday. Dykes reportedly has lived in the area for about two years, and there have been numerous accounts by neighbors that he had been involved with numerous incidents already. In fact, he was due in court last Wednesday over menacing charges. There is no word yet on when this child hostage situation in Alabama will be resolved, but many are hoping there is a peaceful and safe ending for Ethan very soon.
Comments