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Gator bites off part of Florida man's arm

Posted at 2:04 PM, May 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-12 14:30:10-04

A man trying to avoid police in Central Florida lost part of his arm to an alligator in a lake Wednesday evening. 

Police said 21-year-old Jessie Kinsinger had a disagreement with his mother and ran into a wooded area behind their Lakeland apartment. The mother told police Kinsinger was in need of psychological help, and she worried he was having "an episode."

Blood hounds, a helicopter and multiple officers on the ground began searching for Kinsinger.

Using witness reports to track his location as he ran, officers eventually located him from the sky lying on the ground by a nearby lake.

Officers said Kinsinger swam across the lake, and got out near a sign that read: "Caution! Alligators frequent this area!"

Kinsinger was missing three-quarters of his left arm. It is presumed an alligator bit it off.

There are no criminal charges pending at this time.  

Kinsinger was receiving treatment at Lakeland Regional Medical Center as of Thursday afternoon.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission plans to follow up on the incident.