After Ethan Gilman, 6, watched his bus driver killed on Jan. 29 by Vietnam veteran Jimmy Lee Dykes, he was kidnapped by the crazed gunman and held in an underground bunker for seven days and six nights. After snipers killed the captor, he was released into his mother’s arms — and his mom Jennifer Kirkland opened up to Dr. Phil in a revealing new interview on Feb. 13.

Dr. Phil traveled to to Alabama to visit with Jennifer and Ethan, and the poor mom — who is still reeling from the traumatic ordeal.

The Moment Jennifer Kirkland Found Out Ethan Was Kidnapped

Jennifer said she knew something was wrong as soon as Ethan wasn’t home from school at 3:45 like he normally is.

“About 4:15, I started just walking in circles in the yard,” she recalled. “Then the neighbor comes up says that her little boy and Ethan their bus driver had been shot and killed.”

Jennifer revealed that she was worried because the bus driver, Charles Albert Poland Jr., and Ethan were pals — and Ethan liked to sit behind Charles on the bus. 

When a police officer came to see the two women, Jennifer knew something was wrong. ”I said the other child’s mother is here too can she come? They said no ma’am, we just need you,” she revealed. “I didn’t know what it was but I knew it had something to do with Ethan I just knew at that point.”

Ethan Held Hostage For Six Nights Underground

When she got to the police station, she discovered her little boy was held hostage underground. Even though authorities reassured Jennifer that he was safe and Jimmy didn’t appear to be dangerous, she was still obviously terrified.

“That’s my baby, that’s my world, he’s my everything. Everything I do, I do for him and I was afraid I wasn’t going to get him back,” she said through tears when describing how she felt during the kidnapping.

Ethan Gilman Watched Jimmy Lee Dykes Get Shot In Bunker

But even though he was relatively safe in the underground shelter, his mom Jennifer reveals that her son is still suffering from the traumatic consequences — including watching as Jimmy was executed by authorities on the seventh day of his captivity.

“He says, ‘the army came in and shot the bad man,’” Jennifer tells Dr. Phil. And poor little Ethan is having trouble sleeping — including slinging his arms and thrashing around in his sleep. He also reacts alarmingly to loud noises, and Jennifer recalled a time when she closed the cabinets too loudly and Ethan got frightened, possibly reminding him of the traumatic ordeal.

Ethan Whispers To His Mom: ‘My Bus Driver Is Dead’

When Dr. Phil finally talks with Ethan, he seems like a normal happy-go-lucky child. Dr. Phil hands him presents for his sixth birthday, including Lego sets, and the two played on the floor together.

While they were chatting, Dr. Phil brought up a few touchy questions, including if he walks to school — to which Ethan shook his head, and whispered in his mom’s ear, “My bus driver is dead.”

Despite the trauma the little boy has experienced, Dr. Phil is convinced that with proper therapy and counseling, he will recover fine. Even though he may never forget the kidnapping, Dr. Phil has offered his mom Jennifer and Ethan with the proper resources for them to deal together.

Watch a clip of the interview below:

What di YOU think of the interview HollyMoms? Are you surprised Ethan said he saw his bus driver killed?

– Christina Stiehl

More Ethan Gilman Kidnapping News:

1. Ethan Gilman Scared Of School Buses After Alabama Kidnapping
2. Police Discover Jimmy Lee Dykes Rigged Alabama Bunker With Explosives
3. Boy, 5, Has Tearful Reunion With Mom After Kidnapper Shot Dead

Ethan Gilman, who turned six years old just days after being released from the underground bunker where he was held hostage by Vietnam veteran Jimmy Lee Dykes, is finally revealing horrific hostage situation he endured for nearly a full week. He and his mom Jennifer Kirkland opened up to Dr. Phil for the first time since the kidnapping.

Even though Jimmy shot and killed Ethan’s school bus driver on Jan. 29, Dr. Phil said on the Today show on Feb. 12 that he believes Jimmy Lee Dykes had sympathy for Ethan while he kept him holed up in the underground bunker.

“We know for example that Mr. Dykes did seem to have some empathy for the child,” Dr. Phil said. “We know he fried him chicken in the bunker.”

Ethan Gilman Watched Jimmy Lee Dykes Get Shot In Bunker

But even though he was relatively safe in the underground shelter, his mom Jennifer reveals in the interview that her son is still suffering from the traumatic consequences — including watching as Jimmy was executed by authorities.

“He says, ‘the army came in and shot the bad man,’” Jennifer tells Dr. Phil. And poor little Ethan is having trouble sleeping — including slinging his arms and thrashing around in his sleep.

After being kidnapped on the bus, Dr. Phil said the little boy still fixates on school buses — and his mom worries it will affect him for the rest of his life.

“I’m scared of how he’s going to take getting on a bus,” she says.

What do YOU think of the interview HollyMoms? Will you tune in to Dr. Phil?

– Christina Stiehl

More Ethan Kidnapping News:

1. Police Discover Jimmy Lee Dykes Rigged Alabama Bunker With Explosives
2. Boy, 5, Has Tearful Reunion With Mom After Kidnapper Shot Dead
3. Alabama Hostage, 5, Finally Freed, Kidnapper Jimmy Lee Dykes Is Dead

After the heroic rescue of Ethan, who turned six years old on Feb. 6, which ended in the shooting death of captor Jimmy Lee Dykes, authorities have revealed that the underground bunker where the two were holed up was rigged with explosives — and experts feared the crazed kidnapper would detonate them at any moment.

On Feb. 4, FBI authorities made the decision to enter Jimmy’s underground shelter to rescue Ethan, who had been kidnapped and held hostage for nearly a week. The police and FBI used military-grade surveillance equipment to monitor the activity in the bunker, and executed the rescue when they believed Ethan was in danger.

The hostage team decided to act when they saw Jimmy, a Vietnam War vet, climb a ladder to get supplies with Ethan several feet away. They dropped two stun grenades into the bunker to frighten the kidnapper, and then stormed in.

Jimmy soon fired the first shot, according to CBS News, and the authorities returned fire, killing the captor and rescuing Ethan — who is now safe and with his family.

Jimmy Lee Dykes’ Bunker Rigged With Explosives

Federal authorities released a statement late on Feb. 4 that detailed the dangerous crime scene. “Two devices were located and disrupted today. One device was located in the plastic pipe the subject told negotiators to use to communicate with him,” the statement read.

“The subject reinforced the bunker against any attempted entry by law enforcement,” the FBI also stated.

We’re so glad Ethan is safe, and able to spend his birthday with his family.

More Alabama Hostage News:

1. Boy, 5, Has Tearful Reunion With Mom After Kidnapper Shot Dead
2. Alabama Hostage, 5, Finally Freed, Kidnapper Jimmy Lee Dykes Is Dead
3. Alabama Boy, 5, Held Hostage For Four Days, Parents ‘Hanging On’

The five-year-old boy held hostage in an underground bunker for a week has been reunited with his mother! Ethan, spent his first night of freedom in the hospital, where he’s being held for observation, but he’s playing, eating, laughing and joking around with his favorite toy dinosaur.

Sheriff Wally Olson said, “[Ethan is] a very special child who’s endured a lot and by the grace of God he’s okay. It is a relief to reunite a mother with her child.”

Ethan’s reunion with his mother took place at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama, where Ethan was taken following his rescue. He arrived sitting up in a stretcher — a good sign that he was not physically harmed in this horrible ordeal.

Steve Richardson, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the agency’s Mobile, Alabama Office said, “I have been to the hospital and he’s doing fine. He’s laughing, joking, eating..doing the things you would expect a normal five or six year old to do.”

Ethan Is Held Hostage By Alabama Survivalist

Unfortunately, the last few days of Ethan’s life have been anything but pleasant. After being held hostage by Jimmy Lee Dykes for a week, the FBI thought little Ethan was in immediate danger, so they entered the underground bunker at 3:12 Central time on Feb. 4 to retrieve him. Thankfully, he was found unharmed.

Jimmy, the Alabama survivalist was shot dead and Ethan, his hostage, is now safely returned to his mom. We’re so happy.

How do YOU feel, HollyMoms? Our thoughts are with Ethan and his family at this time.

– Chris Rogers

More  Tragic Kidnapping News:

1. Alabama Boy, 5, Held Hostage For Four Days, Parents ‘Hanging On’
2. Gunman Kills School Bus Driver & Holds 5-Year-Old Boy Hostage
3. Neighbor Arrested For Kidnapping & Murdering Girl, 10, Two Decades Ago

After a six-day standoff, the Midland City, Ala. boy who was taken off of his school bus on Jan. 29 and held captive in an underground shelter has been safely released, but his kidnapper, Jimmy Lee Dykes, is now dead.

The child, 5-year-old Ethan, was spotted emerging from the underground bunker safely and appeared to be OK, officials tell CNN. Ethan was taken to a hospital in nearby Dothan, Alabama state Rep. Steve Clouse tells CNN.

Steve Richardson, FBI FBI Special Agent in Charge at the scene, said that the kidnapper was “observed holding a gun,” according to CNN. The FBI team thought little Ethan was in immediate danger, so they entered the underground bunker at 3:12 Central time to retrieve him.

Special Agent Richardson also added that Jimmy is now dead.

The boy’s mother and grandmother were expected to meet Ethan at Flowers Hospital in Dothan.

Ethan’s will turn 6-years-old this Wednesday, Feb.5.

The School Bus Driver Charles Albert Poland Jr.–Died a Hero, Live a Hero

Charles Albert Poland, Jr., 66, was laid to rest Sunday, Feb.3, in the nearby community of Ozark. More than 500 hundred people celebrated the man who helped protect the children on the bus.

Jane Littlefield who runs Harper’s Joy Assembly of God’s Church in Dothan with her husband Pastor Eddie Littlefield attended the funeral.

Jane tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively, “Chuck was the salt of the earth. He was a hard worker, humble and loved his family. His grandchildren idolized him.”

“His daughter, Lydia Hancock, said, ‘My dad didn’t die a hero. He lived a hero!’”, Jane said.

When Jimmy Lee Dykes demanded that he hand over two children, Charles refused and blocked the access to the bus’ aisle. At least 21 children escaped out of the back emergency door, authorities said.

The gunman then shot Charles four times, before grabbing little Ethan who had fainted.

We send our prayers to Chuck’s family and to little Ethan and his family.

– Christina Stiehl, reporting by Sandra Clark

More  Tragic Kidnapping News:

1. Alabama Boy, 5, Held Hostage For Four Days, Parents ‘Hanging On’
2. Gunman Kills School Bus Driver & Holds 5-Year-Old Boy Hostage
3. Neighbor Arrested For Kidnapping & Murdering Girl, 10, Two Decades Ago

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