Wanted Florida Man Left 4-Year-Old Behind During Police Chase as Child Tried to Follow Carrying His Footwear
A video released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is a heartbreaking reminder that children often pay a price for decisions they had no part in making.
Deputies say 24-year-old Jason Kenon fled a traffic stop on June 9 while two young children were inside the vehicle. According to WESH, a deputy recognized Kenon because he had an active warrant out of Osceola County and attempted to stop him on Powers Drive.
Instead, authorities say Kenon drove off, hit an SUV, and continued fleeing. The pursuit eventually led to a scene that left many viewers focused on a 4-year-old child caught in the middle of it all.
As Kenon ran from deputies, the footwear he was wearing came off. The child stopped to retrieve it before continuing after him. Moments later, deputies found the boy alone, crying, and still holding the footwear.
Deputies Say Kenon Fled With Two Young Children Inside
Please give the video a moment to load.
The sheriff’s office said its helicopter maintained visual contact as Kenon drove recklessly through Orange County. During the pursuit, authorities say he crashed into another vehicle.
The footage also appears to show another child trying to get out through a rear door before the vehicle drives away again. A short time later, Kenon stops again. The footage shows him getting out while the vehicle is still moving, then getting back inside to stop it. He then opens a rear door, picks up the 4-year-old child, and starts running.
The Child Tried to Follow Him
The video then cuts to the child running behind Kenon as deputies move in.
As Kenon runs, the footwear he was wearing comes off. The child turns around, picks it up, and continues trying to follow him while Kenon keeps running ahead.
“Alright, he left the kid behind,” one officer can be heard saying in the video.
Moments later, bodycam footage shows a deputy reaching the crying child, who was still holding the footwear. The deputy picks him up and reassures him, telling him, “It’s OK, it’s OK.”
The video later shows deputies giving the child small gifts and words of encouragement after Kenon was taken into custody. The sheriff’s office said both children were evaluated after the incident and were not injured.
Viewers Focused on the Little Boy
After the sheriff’s office posted the video online, much of the reaction centered on the 4-year-old rather than the chase itself.
“That baby tryna get his dad’s shoes and still follow him,” one commenter wrote.
“The way that baby grabbed the shoes for him,” another person commented.
Several viewers praised deputies for how they handled the child after reaching him. Others said the moment was difficult to watch because the child appeared confused, scared, and still focused on helping the adult who had just run ahead.
Charges Include Child Neglect and Aggravated Fleeing
According to Orange County jail records, Kenon was booked on 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.
Jail records also show Kenon was being held on an Osceola County violation-of-probation warrant.
At the time of publication, Orange County jail records showed bond amounts totaling more than $45,000 on the Orange County charges, in addition to the out-of-county hold.