Isaac Kinsey, a Florida DUI Suspect Flees into Marsh with Baby & Toddler, Police Say

Late Wednesday night, September 9, police say 27-year-old Isaac Kinsey crashed his car before abandoning it and taking two children with him as he fled into marshland in the woods. Read on for more details.

What Happened

Fox 13 reported that police noticed a “presumed rollover crash on Highway 33 in Lakeland,” Florida. No other vehicles were involved. It happened in a zone clearly marked for construction with a road-closure sign and sandbags.

Florida officers arrived at the scene of the crash, but nobody was in the car. Alarmingly, they noticed two children’s car seats inside.

Search in the Marsh

NBC Miami reported that police launched a search and used a drone to try to locate Isaac Kinsey, who was spotted moving through the marsh.

In the dark and wet conditions, he struggled with his surroundings while carrying two children. One of them was a two-year-old, and the other was still an infant, aged 10 months.

Dropping the Children

AOL reported that the footage showed Kinsey dropping them into the water, and at one stage, he left the two-year-old behind and continued wading through the swamp. Still carrying the baby, he allegedly fell down several times.

Fortunately, officers were able to rescue both children, and paramedics transferred them to Lakeland Regional Health. Both children were treated there and later released. Kinsey was also treated.

Driving on a Suspended License

Police said Kinsey showed signs of significant impairment, and he reportedly told officers he was intoxicated.

It’s not a small incident, and now Kinsey faces some serious charges. Police also said Kinsey was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash.

Kinsey now faces 11 separate criminal counts, eight of which are misdemeanors, while the rest are felonies.

The Police Statement

The serious charges include “two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm.” Lakeland Police Chief Sammy Taylor Jr. pointed out that the children went underwater multiple times and the situation could have easily turned fatal.

Fox 13 also cited him as saying, “It was just like a doll he was throwing around, and several times [they] went underneath the water.” He added, “I’m a father and grandfather, and it just makes your blood boil.”

He also highlighted that police officers frequently face distressing situations, noting the emotional toll on those who attend these incidents.

At this time, it’s not clear how the children are related to Isaac Kinsey, or who collected them from the hospital. Police have not publicly released what might have caused the crash.

For now, the most important outcome is that both children survived the ordeal and were released from the hospital.

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