A 27-year-old man was arrested in Florida after fleeing from the police through a swamp while carrying his two young children and dropping them into the water several times during a dramatic nighttime chase that was recorded by a drone and the officers' body cameras.
Isaac Kinsey was involved in the incident early in the morning on Wednesday, September 9, in Lakeland, when his vehicle struck a road closure sign and several sandbags before coming to rest against the roots of some trees in a construction area on Highway 33, near North Combee Road, reported the Lakeland Police on social media.
When the agents arrived, Kinsey had left the car. Inside, they found two empty child seats, which prompted an immediate search for the minors.
The Lakeland Police deployed a drone to search the area amidst the darkness. Approximately 30 minutes after the accident, the device located the man in a wooded and swampy area south of the crash site.
Kinsey was accompanied by her two children: a two-year-old boy and a 10-month-old baby.
The images show the man struggling to move through the water as he attempts to escape. On several occasions, he falls, and the little ones end up submerged in the swamp water, an area where, according to authorities, crocodiles are commonly found.
Guided by the drone operator, the agents entered the swamp until they reached the father and the two children.
The body cameras recorded the moment of the rescue. "Give me the baby! Give me the baby now!" shouted one of the officers before taking one of the little ones from Kinsey's arms, who was crying.
The two minors were taken to Lakeland Regional Health for medical attention. Kinsey was also taken to a hospital and subsequently placed under arrest.
According to the authorities, the man admitted to the officers that he had been drinking and was driving with a suspended license.
Kinsey faces 11 charges, eight misdemeanors, and three felonies. Among the most serious accusations are two counts of negligent child abuse involving serious bodily injury.
The Lakeland Police highlighted that the use of the drone was crucial in finding the family amid the darkness.
"This incident could have ended with the loss of two innocent lives. The rapid deployment of our drone technology, along with the persistence and teamwork of the officers, allowed us to locate the children in an extremely challenging environment and provide them with the care they needed," the department stated.
"There is no excuse for driving under the influence. We are grateful that these children survived and proud of the officers whose actions helped prevent an even greater tragedy," the police concluded.
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