Florida DUI Suspect Allegedly Fled Into Swamp With Baby and Toddler After Crash, Police Video Shows

DUI suspect Isaac Kinsey dropped his two kids while crawling through a swamp after a crash in Lakeland, Florida, on Wednesday.Lakeland Police Department

A Florida father accused of driving under the influence allegedly fled from police into dark, swampy terrain with his two young children after crashing his car — triggering a frantic search captured by bodycam and drone footage.

Isaac Kinsey, 27, was carrying his 2-year-old and 10-month-old children through the marsh near Lakeland early Wednesday when he repeatedly stumbled and dropped them into standing water, according to police.

Officers eventually located the family and rescued both children. Police noted that alligators are known to inhabit the region.

Child seats inside crashed car trigger urgent search

The incident began after Kinsey allegedly drove through a road-closure sign and crashed into a construction area during the early morning hours, according to the Lakeland Police Department.

When officers arrived, Kinsey was no longer at the vehicle.

But police spotted two child safety seats inside the abandoned car — immediately raising concerns that young children could be with him.

Officers launched a search while a police drone scanned the surrounding wooded and swampy area.

Drone footage eventually captured Kinsey moving through the difficult terrain in darkness while carrying both children.

As he struggled through the marsh, police said he fell several times. Footage showed the children being dropped into standing water during the escape.

Officers race through swamp to reach children

Isaac Kinsey, a man accused of DUI, crawls through a swamp with two children after a crash in Lakeland, Florida, on Sept. 9, 2026.Lakeland Police Department

Bodycam footage documented officers trying to navigate the dense terrain while calling out to Kinsey.

“Where are you? Come out this way, come out this way!” one officer can be heard shouting while searching with a flashlight.

Once officers reached him, their attention immediately turned to the children.

“Give me the baby! Give me the baby now!” an officer shouted before taking one of the crying children from Kinsey.

Both children were rescued and transported to a local hospital, where they received treatment for injuries, police said. Kinsey was also taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police say suspect admitted being intoxicated

The two kids, aged 2 and 10 months, were taken to a local hospital for treatment after the heart-pounding chase.Lakeland Police Department

According to authorities, Kinsey allegedly told officers that he had been intoxicated and that his driver’s license was suspended when he crashed with his children in the vehicle.

He now faces eight misdemeanor charges and three felony charges, including two counts of negligent child abuse with great bodily harm, authorities said.

Police credited the rapid deployment of drone technology and the responding officers’ persistence with helping them find the children in the difficult environment.

Kinsey allegedly admitted to officers that he was intoxicated and that his driver’s license was suspended when he crashed his car with his children on board.Polk County Jail

“This incident could have ended with the loss of two innocent lives,” the Lakeland Police Department said, adding that the drone and teamwork among officers helped locate the children and get them medical care.

The department also emphasized the dangers of impaired driving and expressed relief that both children survived.

“We are thankful these children survived and proud of the officers whose actions helped prevent an even greater tragedy,” police said.

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