The Orange County Sheriff's Office released bodycam and helicopter footage showing 24-year-old Jason Kenon fleeing a June 9 traffic stop with two young children in his vehicle. In the video, Kenon runs from deputies and a 4-year-old is left behind, pauses to pick up Kenon's fallen shoe, and attempts to follow. Deputies soon recover and comfort the crying child; both children were evaluated and reported uninjured. Kenon faces multiple charges, including two counts of child neglect, and local bond exceeds $45,000.
Heartbreaking Footage: 4-Year-Old Left Behind During Florida Police Chase Clutches Man’s Shoe
Photo Orange County Sheriff's Office
A video released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office captures a distressing scene from a June 9 traffic stop in Orange County, Florida, showing how children can become unintended victims of dangerous choices.
What Happened
Deputies say 24-year-old Jason Kenon tried to flee a traffic stop on Powers Drive while two young children were inside his vehicle. According to local reports, an officer recognized Kenon because he had an outstanding warrant from Osceola County and attempted to stop him.
Instead of complying, Kenon allegedly sped away, struck an SUV and continued driving recklessly across Orange County with a sheriff's helicopter maintaining visual contact. At one point the vehicle stopped and a 4-year-old was lifted from the rear by Kenon, who then ran away on foot as deputies closed in.
The Heartbreaking Moment
The bodycam and helicopter footage show a small, heartbreaking detail: as Kenon ran, one of his shoes fell off. The 4-year-old picked up the shoe, paused, and tried to follow him. Moments later deputies located the child alone and crying, still clutching the footwear.
"Alright, he left the kid behind," an officer is heard saying in the video.
Bodycam footage then shows a deputy reaching the sobbing child, picking him up and reassuring him, saying, 'It's OK, it's OK.' Deputies later gave the children small items and words of comfort. The sheriff's office reported that both children were evaluated and suffered no physical injuries.
Charges And Custody
Orange County jail records show Kenon was booked on multiple charges, including aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with injury or property damage; leaving the scene of a crash with injuries; two counts of child neglect; reckless driving; possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis; and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Records also list an Osceola County violation-of-probation hold.
At the time of publication, local bond totals on the Orange County charges exceeded $45,000 in addition to the out-of-county hold.
Public Reaction
After the sheriff's office posted the video, many viewers focused on the 4-year-old — praising deputies for their response while expressing heartbreak over the child's confusion and loyalty in trying to follow the man who fled.
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