5 year old boy held hostage in bunker

[Duchess]

The five-year-old boy being held hostage for a fourth day has been crying for his mother as police continue to plead with the 'survivalist killer' who kidnapped him after it emerged today he may have enough supplies to last for months.

Jimmy Lee Dykes is accused of shooting a school bus driver dead and grabbing the kindergartner before escaping to an underground Doomsday bunker which he has been building by hand for months, neighbors said.

Police have settled in to Midland City, Alabama, for the long haul as they continue to negotiate with the 'survivalist' and plead with him to let five-year-old Ethan go without harm.

Though he is not believed to have hurt Ethan, Dykes has a violent reputation in the quiet town after he allegedly beat his neighbor's dog to death with a lead pipe and would threaten to shoot any child that would come on to his property.

Last night hundreds of people gathered in the city - which has a population of around 2,300 - to say prayers for the boy's safe return.

He is said to be unhurt but scared and crying for his mother.

The crowd also honored Charles Poland, who was allegedly killed by Dykes as he tried to prevent the gunman from hurting any children when he stormed the 66-year-old's bus on Tuesday.

It was revealed today the bus driver was planning on giving Dykes a gift of marmalade and yard eggs the same day he was shot dead to thank him for smoothing out the sand and dirt on a part of the road on the bus route.

Dykes has previously stayed in the bunker for eight days straight and police believe he has enough supplies stored inside to last him several months.