A Florida father crashed into a construction zone and fled into an alligator-inhabited swamp with his baby and toddler, police said.
Isaac Kinsey, 27, faces 11 criminal counts following the suspected drunken-driving crash in Lakeland, authorities said.
Kinsey drove through a road-closure sign before crashing his vehicle into the construction zone, according to authorities.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a heavily damaged vehicle with two empty child safety seats, police said.
The two children were not missing from the site for long, according to police. Their father had allegedly taken them with him while fleeing into the dark woods and marsh, authorities said.
The young victims were identified as a 10-month-old baby and a 2-year-old toddler, according to police.
The suspected DUI crash turned into a nighttime trek through the Florida swamp with both children in his arms, police said.
Officers deployed a drone equipped with thermal and nighttime capabilities to locate the fleeing father and his children, police said.
Thermal footage showed Kinsey falling repeatedly while carrying the two youngsters through the marsh, authorities said.
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The drone video also showed the father dropping the children into the water as he attempted to get away, police said.
The Florida swamp was also known to contain alligators, according to police.
Officers eventually reached the family in the woods and rescued both children, police said.
The infant and the toddler were taken to an area hospital for medical treatment, police said. Both children were later released from the facility, authorities said.
Kinsey showed signs of intoxication following the crash and pursuit, police said. The suspect also acknowledged driving despite having a suspended driver’s license, according to authorities.
The defendant faces 11 charges, consisting of three felonies and eight misdemeanors, according to records.
Those charges include two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm, police said.
Kinsey is accused of the offenses and has not been convicted, records show.
The defendant was being held without bond, according to reports.
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