An 8-year-old boy was discovered operating a jet ski alone on June 14 in Florida, leading to his father being charged by law enforcement. Officers from the Sarasota Police Department encountered the child riding the personal watercraft unaccompanied on the water.
Bodycam footage captured the moment an officer asked the boy, "Where's your parents?" The child then pointed towards the shore, indicating his father's location. Police followed the boy back to his father, who was watching from the shore. When questioned by officers, the father admitted he did not believe his son was legally permitted to operate the jet ski alone.
"But we have been using jet skis on the lake for the past few years. He's very proficient," the boy's father stated, according to the video. However, Florida law mandates that individuals must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft (PWC).
The father was subsequently issued a misdemeanor charge. Officer Ron Dixon, who responded to the incident, described the situation as risky, noting that the child was "off by himself" with many potential factors to consider.
The Sarasota Police Department used the incident to remind the public to take safety precautions when operating personal watercraft, particularly as the Fourth of July holiday approached.