Drunk Florida Man Carries Baby and Toddler Into Swamp After DUI Crash in Lakeland

Isaac Kinsey, 27, allegedly rolled his car with two young children inside, then fled into a swamp while carrying them. Police used a drone to locate the trio.

Lakeland Police Drone Locates Two Children in Swamp After Suspected Drunk Driver Crashes and Flees

A 27-year-old Florida man allegedly overturned his car with a baby and a toddler inside before fleeing into a swamp while carrying both children, Law & Crime reports. Isaac Kinsey now faces two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm as well as multiple DUI-related charges, according to a press release from the Lakeland Police Department.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of Sept. 9 on Highway 33 near North Combee Road. Kinsey allegedly drove through a road closure sign and sandbags before his vehicle overturned at a construction site and struck tree roots. Officers who arrived at the scene found the car empty — but noticed two child safety seats inside.

A drone was deployed roughly 30 minutes later and located Kinsey in a nearby swamp, carrying a 2-year-old and a 10-month-old. Footage captured Kinsey stumbling and falling while holding the children, briefly submerging them in the water, police said.

Officers tracked down the trio and pulled them from the swamp.

"I did not know there was a swamp right here," Kinsey told officers as they directed him to surrender the children.

All three were transported to a hospital for treatment. Kinsey was taken into custody. Police did not disclose the nature of his relationship to the two children.

Kinsey allegedly displayed visible signs of impairment at the scene and admitted to officers that he had been drinking and that his driver's license was suspended.

Lakeland police described the outcome as narrowly avoiding a double fatality.

"This incident could have ended with the loss of two innocent lives. The rapid deployment of Lakeland PD's drone technology, along with the persistence and teamwork of responding officers, helped locate the children in an extremely difficult environment and get them the care they needed," the department stated. "There is no excuse for impaired driving. We are thankful these children survived and proud of the officers whose actions helped prevent an even greater tragedy."

Kinsey remains held at Polk County Jail without bond. His next scheduled court appearance is Oct. 13.

Source: Law & Crime