Florida Dad Allegedly Drags Baby and Toddler Into Alligator-Prone Swamp While Fleeing Police After DUI Crash

A routine police response to a crash in Lakeland, Florida, turned into a search through a dark swamp after police said a man fled the scene with two young children. Officers later found the children in dangerous marshland after a police drone located 27-year-old Isaac Kinsey.

Kinsey is accused of driving under the influence before crashing his vehicle and fleeing from officers with a 2-year-old child and a 10-month-old baby. Police said he repeatedly struggled through the swamp, with the children becoming submerged in standing water before he eventually left the toddler behind and continued with the infant.

Police Use Drone To Find Kinsey in Swamp With Two Children

The incident began when Lakeland police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 33 near North Combee Road. Investigators said the vehicle had gone through a road-closure sign and sandbags before entering a construction area and crashing.

When officers arrived, police said Kinsey had abandoned the damaged vehicle and fled. Police then discovered two child car seats inside the vehicle but could not immediately locate the children, prompting an urgent search of the surrounding area.

Around 30 minutes later, a police drone located Kinsey in a wooded, swampy area south of the crash site, where police said he was carrying the toddler and infant in total darkness. Officers described how difficult it was for him to move through the marsh.

According to police, Kinsey fell several times, with the children becoming submerged in standing water. He eventually put the 2-year-old down and continued through the swamp with the 10-month-old, falling several more times before officers reached them.

The swamp was considered particularly hazardous because of the difficult terrain and darkness. The children were ultimately rescued and taken to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment before being released.

Police Investigate Why Kinsey Fled After Crash

Kinsey allegedly fled after the crash while authorities were investigating whether he had been driving under the influence. Police said Kinsey showed signs of impairment and told officers he was intoxicated.

Authorities also said Kinsey was driving with a suspended licence. The precise reason he ran from the crash scene has not been publicly established, but the alleged DUI and suspended licence were among the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

Kinsey Faces 11 Charges After Swamp Rescue

Officers eventually reached Kinsey and took him into custody, while the two children were removed from the swamp and taken for medical treatment. Kinsey was also treated at hospital following his arrest.

According to police, Kinsey faces 11 charges in total: eight misdemeanour offences and three felony offences.

The felony charges include two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm.

Lakeland Police Chief Sammy Taylor Jr described the incident as particularly distressing.

'It was just like a doll he was throwing around, and several times [they] went underneath the water,' Taylor said.

The chief said the situation could have resulted in the deaths of both children. He credited the officers who responded and praised the swift use of drone technology with helping locate them in the difficult terrain and ensuring they received medical attention.

Further details about the children's relationship to Kinsey and what caused the crash have not been released by police. The allegations have not been tested in court, and Kinsey is entitled to due process.