A man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after kidnapping a 7-year-old Madison boy in 2016 and dropping him off in Jacksonville.
Jason Lenard Hayling, 44, pled guilty on Thursday in Madison County to one charge of kidnapping a child under the age of 13. He was sentenced to life in prison on Monday and transported back to Duval County.
His other two charges that involve sexual battery have been dropped due to the maximum sentence already having being received.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and several other agencies, including the FBI, have arrested Hayling man for kidnapping along with sexual battery in two separate cases with ties to Jacksonville.
He was arrested out of state in February for the Jacksonville sexual battery case, but he’s also charged with kidnapping in 2016.
They made the connection between the sexual battery and the kidnapping through DNA evidence. They found DNA on the boy who was kidnapped but didn't elaborate on what type of evidence it was.
The boy was kidnapped from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and was dropped off in Jacksonville between 5 and 7 a.m. on April 18, 2016, according to the FDLE.
FDLE announces arrest in 2016 Madison kidnapping case
MADISON, Fla. (WTXL) - After nearly two years, a man has been arrested in connection with the abduction and sexual battery of a 7-year-old child from Madison back in 2016.
Jason Lenard Hayling, 44, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and capital sexual battery against a child. Hayling is in the kidnapping of 7-year-old Bryan Williamson from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016.
Almost two years ago on a Sunday evening, 7-year-old Bryan Williamson walked out with his mother to the Fred's Dollar Store on U.S. 90 in Madison.
While returning home, investigators say Bryan left his home to walk to his cousin's home, wanting to share his candy with his cousin. On his way back home, the 7-year-old was abducted by a stranger.
After 12 hours, Bryan was dropped off in Jacksonville at the door of a home. While the homeowner didn't know Bryan, they had seen the Amber Alert and recognized the boy, alerting authorities.
Following Bryan's recovery, authorities worked around the clock to figure out who abducted him.
After nearly two years, investigators charged Hayling on Thursday with kidnapping and capital sexual battery against a child.
He was arrested in Georgia back in February for capital sexual battery in another recent child battery case out of Jacksonville. After noticing the similarities in the cases, FDLE agents obtained a DNA sample from Hayling to compare it to the DNA found on Bryan.
The hunch paid off, as the DNA samples matched, leading to criminal charges being filed against Hayling.
“After nearly two years, it gives me relief to tell you that we know who the kidnapper is and that this dangerous predator is no longer a threat to our community,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez. “Observant investigators with unwavering dedication along with DNA helped solve this case.”
Investigators say Bryan is recovering as best as he can under the circumstances.
"He is an amazing young boy who is resilient. Like any child who's been put through trauma he still has a lot of healing to do," said Perez. "But he's a fighter."
Hayling remains in the Duval County Jail at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility. He could be facing life in prison if convicted.
He also has ties to Tallahassee, as he lived in the Capital City from 1997 to 2000.
If convicted Hayling can face as much as a life sentence.
FDLE is concerned that there were other victims that haven't been found yet so they're asking anyone with information to reach out to them at (800) 226-5630.
MADISON, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is providing an update on the investigation into the 2016 abduction of a 7-year-old boy from Madison.
Officials made the announcement about the update on Thursday.
Investigators will provide an update on the investigation of the abduction and recovery of Bryan Williamson from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016.
The announcement will take place on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Madison County Emergency Management building.
