A 5-year-old boy who had been held hostage in a Midland City bunker for seven days was freed late Monday when a the FBI Hostage Rescue Team that had been negotiating with the boy’s captor created a distraction and stormed the bunker.

The story of the 5-year-old hostage named Ethan drew state, national and international attention.

State media reported Monday that negotiations with the captor, 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes, deteriorated and law enforcement observed him holding a gun.

They then entered the underground bunker and rescued the boy. Dykes died, but details of his death were not immediately released.

The child, was taken to a hospital in Dothan, is said to have Asperger’s syndrome. Ethan was abducted from his school bus last Tuesday after Dykes shot and killed the bus driver.

Reports early Monday night indicated the FBI was using specialized military equipment to search for homemade bombs on Dykes’ property.

 

Birthday cards

Ethan will turn 6 this week. An officer from Napier Field has organized a birthday card drive. Cards may be mailed to:

NFPD c/o Lt. McDaniel

400 Headquarters Street

Napier Field, AL 36303