Vietnam war veteran, Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, is still holding an Alabama boy named Ethan, 5, hostage in an underground bomb shelter after allegedly charging his school bus on Jan. 29 and kidnapping the terrified student.

In the fourth day of the kidnapping situation, hostage negotiators have been able to communicate with Jimmy through a PVC pipe, but have made no real progress. Police said on Jan. 31 that he has been known to stay in the bunker for up to eight days.

The boy, who was diagnosed with Asberger’s syndrome and ADHD, has received his necessary medication through the PVC pipe, as well as crayons and coloring books.

State representative Steve Clouse said Ethan’s family was “holding on by a thread.” ”We are all just hoping this can come to a safe end,” he added.

Jimmy Lee Dykes Allegedly Kills Bus Driver & Kidnaps Ethan

On Jan. 29., Jimmy boarded a school bus and allegedly shot the bus driver Charles Albert Poland Jr. four times, killing him. He ordered all the kids to get off, but when little Ethan fainted, he allegedly took the opportunity to snatch him up.

The victim and the alleged assailant have been holed up underground ever since.

Jimmy Lee Dykes is described as a loner with a distrust of the government, and neighbors described him as a paranoid menace. Neighbors also described the bunker, which is on the man’s property, as being 4 feet long, 6 feet wide and 8 feet deep, and contains power, a TV and plenty of food and supplies.

Such a scary situation. We hope Ethan is returned to his family safely.

– Christina Stiehl

More shocking kidnapping news:

1. Gunman Kills School Bus Driver & Holds 5-Year-Old Boy Hostage
2. Neighbor Arrested For Kidnapping & Murdering Girl, 10, Two Decades Ago
3. 10-Year-Old Girl Escapes Attempted Kidnapper — Frightening Video

An Alabama school bus full of children was attacked on Jan. 29 on its way home from school when an armed man stormed the vehicle and screamed at the kids to get off. He then grabbed a little boy, and shot the bus driver four times before fleeing with the 5-year-old.

The bus driver, Charles Albert Poland Jr., was killed trying to save the boy. As of Jan. 30, the gunman is keeping the boy hostage in an underground bunker — and authorities are trying desperately to release the boy to safety.

Gunman Charges School Bus In The Middle Of The Afternoon

The incident started on Jan. 29 near a church in Midland City, Ala. around 3:40 p.m. as the bus was driving kids home from school. Michael Senn, a local pastor, spoke to one of the girls on the bus, who described the attack.

“He told most of them to get off the bus,” Michael said. “And then he grabbed a little boy and shot the bus driver four times.”

Mike Creel, a neighbor of the suspect, also spoke to some of the kids who fled the bus. He said the suspect initially asked for two children.

“The one child he got ahold of actually fainted,” Mike said. “That was the reason he was able to grab him. And now he is hidden in his homemade bomb shelter.”

Boy, 5, Being Held Hostage In Underground Bomb Shelter

The suspect took the boy in a nearby bunker after fleeing the bus on the afternoon of Jan. 29. As of the morning on Jan. 30, the suspect was still holding the little boy hostage in the underground shelter.

The boy, who needs to take daily medicine, was delivered his prescription through a pipe down to the bunker on the night of Jan. 29. Authorities determined that the child had not been harmed.

Local police allowed the FBI to take over the hostage situation, and they hope to free the boy soon.

Such a scary situation. We hope the boy is returned home safely.

– Christina Stiehl

More Child Kidnapping News:

1. Neighbor Arrested For Kidnapping & Murdering Girl, 10, Two Decades Ago
2. Woman Tries To Kidnap Newborn Baby From Hospital In Duffel Bag
3. 10-Year-Old Girl Escapes Attempted Kidnapper — Frightening Video