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Drone Helps Lakeland Officers Find Two Young Children After DUI Suspect Allegedly Flees Into Swamp

By 2 min read

LAKELAND, Fla. — A police drone helped officers locate and rescue two very young children after an alleged impaired-driving crash sent officers searching through a dark, waterlogged area early Wednesday, according to information released by the Lakeland Police Department.

Editorial illustration of a police drone searching a Florida marsh before sunrise.
CFL Report editorial illustration. This is not a photograph from the incident.

Officers were called at about 4 a.m. Sept. 9 to a crash near Highway 33 and North Combee Road. Police said 27-year-old Isaac Ian Kinsey drove past a road-closure sign, entered a construction area and rolled the vehicle.

When officers checked the wreck, they found two child-safety seats but no children. That discovery prompted an urgent search of the surrounding swamp. A drone was launched to give officers an aerial view in the darkness and difficult terrain.

Police said the drone located Kinsey moving through shallow water while carrying a 2-year-old and a 10-month-old. Footage released to news outlets appears to show him repeatedly struggling for balance and the children entering the water. Investigators said Kinsey eventually left the older child behind and continued farther into the swamp with the infant.

Officers reached both children and brought them to safety. They were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries and were later released, police said. Kinsey was arrested after officers reported observing signs of impairment.

Charges listed after the arrest

Polk County booking information identifies Kinsey under booking number 2026-027708. Authorities said he faces 11 counts in all — eight misdemeanors and three felonies. The listed allegations include two counts of negligent child abuse causing great bodily harm, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, two DUI counts involving a passenger younger than 18, three DUI property-damage or personal-injury counts, DUI, knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license, and failing to provide information after a crash involving property damage.

Lakeland Police Chief Sammy Taylor Jr. credited the officers’ response and rapid use of drone technology with helping prevent the incident from becoming a fatal tragedy.

Viewer warning: The video below contains distressing footage involving two young children and may be difficult to watch.

Video player courtesy of WFLA News Channel 8. The footage was released in connection with the Lakeland Police Department investigation.

The case remains pending. An arrest is not a conviction, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Sources: Lakeland Police Department Media Relations; WFLA News Channel 8; Polk County Sheriff’s Office booking information.