Alabama Hostage Standoff Enters Day Seven

05:07

February 04, 2013

Members of the community gather to pray for a 5-year-old taken hostage, in Midland City, Ala., Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (Butch Dill/AP)

Officials have identified Jimmy Lee Dykes, a 65-year-old retired truck driver, as the suspect in a fatal shooting and hostage standoff in Midland City, Ala. (Alabama Department of Public Safety/AP) — A photo of Jimmy Lee Dykes, provided by the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

The boy being held in a bunker by 65-year-old Jim Dykes turns six this week.

The bus driver, Charles Albert Poland Jr., who died trying to protect the boy and other children from Dykes on their school bus last week, was laid to rest yesterday.

Police are continuing their negotiations to try to get Dykes to release the boy, but they fear Dykes could be holed up for weeks in his underground bunker in rural Midland City, Ala.

The boy reportedly has Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Residents are holding candlelight vigils on a nightly basis to pray for the boy.

The Dothan Eagle reports that birthday cards are being collected for the boy, named Ethan:

A Facebook post on Sunday requested that anyone wishing to send a birthday card to Ethan can mail the card to Napier Field town hall, 400 Headquarters St., Napier Field, AL 36303.
The post said the cards should be in care of “Cards for Ethan” or Lt. April McDaniel. The post also requested the cards be signed inside with love and the city and state from which they are sent.

Guest:

Matt Elofson, police and courts reporter for the Dothan Eagle in Dothan, Ala., about 10 miles from Midland City.

This segment aired on February 4, 2013.