A suspected drunk driver in Florida allegedly carried two young children into a dark, swampy area after a violent rollover crash — repeatedly falling and sending the children into standing water as police raced to find them.
The frightening incident unfolded early Sept. 9 in Lakeland after police responded to a single-vehicle crash near Highway 33 and North Combee Road.
According to the Lakeland Police Department, the vehicle had gone through a road-closure sign and sandbags before entering a construction zone and coming to rest against exposed tree roots. Officers said the extensive damage was consistent with a rollover.
But when police arrived, the driver was gone.
Inside the wrecked vehicle, officers spotted two child safety seats, immediately raising fears that young children may have been involved in the crash and taken from the scene.
Police launched a search of the surrounding area and deployed a drone into the darkness.
About 30 minutes later, the drone operator located 27-year-old Isaac Kinsey in a wooded, swampy area south of the crash site, according to police. He was carrying two children — a 2-year-old and a 10-month-old infant.
Drone footage released by police showed Kinsey struggling through the difficult terrain and falling multiple times while carrying the children. Police said the falls caused the youngsters to become submerged in standing water.
At one point, Kinsey allegedly put down the 2-year-old and continued moving through the swamp with the infant, falling several more times as officers closed in.
Body-camera footage captured officers finally reaching the group.
“Give me the baby! Give me the baby now!” an officer could be heard shouting before taking one of the crying children.
Both children were rescued and taken to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment. Local reporting said they were later released from the hospital. Kinsey was also taken to the hospital before being taken into custody.
Police said Kinsey showed several signs of impairment and allegedly told officers that he was intoxicated. Authorities also said his driver’s license was suspended at the time of the crash.
Kinsey now faces 11 charges — eight misdemeanors and three felonies — including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm, according to Lakeland police. Public arrest information also lists allegations including leaving the scene of a crash and DUI involving a passenger under 18.
Lakeland Police Chief Sammy Taylor told FOX 13 that the footage was especially disturbing because of the way the children were being carried through the water.
Taylor said he was relieved the children did not drown and noted the emotional toll cases involving young children can take on responding officers.
Police credited the department’s drone with helping officers locate the children in an area that would have been extremely difficult to search on foot in darkness.
“This incident could have ended with the loss of two innocent lives,” the department said, adding that the quick deployment of the drone and persistence of responding officers helped get the children to safety.
The case remains subject to the judicial process, and the charges are allegations unless and until proven in court.
The lead-in to this story implies that he purposely tossed the children into the swamp. While what happened is unfortunate enough, DON’T make it read like a headline from the National Inquirer !
At least he got the children out of the car and was carrying them. Sounds as though he was trying to save them.