Florida man Jason Kenon arrested after abandoning 4-year-old child during police chase

A 24-year-old man was taken into custody this week in Orlando after helicopter footage captured him fleeing from law enforcement and abandoning a young child during a high-speed pursuit. Jason Kenon faces multiple charges following the incident that involved two children and ended with dramatic aerial footage showing the moment he left a 4-year-old behind while attempting to escape. Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on Tuesday, but Kenon, who had outstanding warrants, refused to pull over and instead accelerated away from officers.

The vehicle carried four occupants: Kenon, an adult passenger, and two children aged 1 and 4. Ground units pursued the suspect through Orlando streets while a sheriff’s helicopter maintained visual contact from above. The chase quickly escalated as Kenon weaved dangerously through traffic lanes, disregarding stop signs and other vehicles in his path.

Collision and first abandonment during escape attempt

Overhead footage from the helicopter documented Kenon attempting to maneuver around a black SUV stopped at an intersection. Unable to navigate the turn successfully, he collided with the rear end of the vehicle. Despite the impact, Kenon continued driving without stopping to assess damage or injuries. The hit-and-run added another charge to his growing list of offenses as deputies continued their pursuit through residential areas.

Moments later, Kenon pulled over in a neighborhood and allowed the adult passenger and the 1-year-old child to exit the vehicle. The 4-year-old child attempted to leave as well but was unable to escape before Kenon accelerated again. Deputies noted this critical moment, as it left the older child trapped in the vehicle with a fleeing suspect who showed no regard for the minor’s safety or well-being.

Suspect abandons child while fleeing on foot

The pursuit concluded when Kenon stopped near a building and exited the vehicle. He lifted the 4-year-old from the backseat, and the child was seen following him as he ran from approaching law enforcement. The helicopter camera captured the entire sequence as Kenon jogged through an alley, kicked off his shoes, and then made a critical decision that would add child neglect charges to his case.

Running barefoot, Kenon changed direction and left the young child behind in the alley. The 4-year-old was left alone, still holding the suspect’s discarded shoes. Seconds later, Kenon ran directly into a road and attempted to scale a fence leading to a wooded area. Two patrol cars had already converged on his location, with deputies ordering him to the ground. Another deputy immediately went to recover the crying child nearby.

Seven charges filed against Orlando resident

Court records show Kenon faces seven separate charges stemming from Tuesday’s incident. The charges include aggravated fleeing and eluding, two counts of child neglect, leaving the scene of a crash, reckless driving, possession of marijuana, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The firearms charge suggests deputies discovered a weapon either in the vehicle or on Kenon’s person during the arrest.

• Aggravated fleeing and eluding law enforcement
• Two counts of child neglect involving both minors
• Leaving the scene of a crash with property damage
• Reckless driving endangering public safety
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of a firearm during felony commission

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that both children were examined and found to have no physical injuries despite the traumatic experience. The 4-year-old who was abandoned was reunited with family members after being checked by medical personnel on scene. Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between Kenon and the children or the adult passenger who was released during the chase.

Previous criminal history includes recent jail sentence

This week’s arrest was not Kenon’s first encounter with the criminal justice system. In December 2025, a judge in Osceola County sentenced him to 94 days in jail for burglarizing a building and felony grand theft in the third degree. Kenon had entered a no contest plea to those charges, accepting the sentence without admitting guilt. The recent completion of that jail term suggests he was either on probation or recently released when the traffic stop was attempted.

The specific warrants that prompted deputies to initiate Tuesday’s traffic stop remain unclear. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed which active warrants were being pursued at the time of the incident. Multiple warrants typically indicate a pattern of failing to appear in court or violating terms of release. The helicopter footage has been preserved as evidence and will likely play a central role in prosecution efforts.

Helicopter surveillance proves critical in apprehension

The use of aerial surveillance proved essential in maintaining continuous visual contact with the suspect throughout the pursuit. Ground units face challenges during high-speed chases, including traffic congestion, blind spots, and the risk of losing sight of a suspect who knows local streets. The helicopter eliminated those concerns by providing real-time updates on Kenon’s location and movements to officers on the ground.

The footage also provides irrefutable documentation of Kenon’s actions, including the collision, the abandonment of the children, and his attempt to flee on foot. Such evidence strengthens the prosecution’s case significantly compared to relying solely on officer testimony or ground-level camera footage. Modern law enforcement increasingly relies on aerial support for pursuits involving suspects with violent tendencies or those who endanger others during flight.

Kenon remains in custody pending arraignment on the seven charges. The combination of his recent criminal history and the severity of the current charges suggests he may face substantial bail or be held without bond. Child neglect charges involving abandonment during a crime typically carry enhanced penalties, particularly when combined with firearms possession and fleeing from law enforcement. Prosecutors will likely seek consecutive rather than concurrent sentences given the multiple victims and offenses involved in Tuesday’s chase.