California Arrest Made Over Human-Skin Teddy Bear Prank

A teddy bear that appeared to be wrapped in human skin was found outside a gas station in Victorville, California, prompting a police and coroner investigation amid public alarm. Authorities later confirmed the bear was made of latex and contained no human tissue, identifying it as a manufactured prop rather than actual human remains. The bear was created by Robert Kelly, a special-effects artist from South Carolina who sells similar ‘human skin’ dolls through his Etsy shop, Dark Seed Creations, and had recently shipped one to a Victorville customer. A 23-year-old Victorville man was arrested for causing a false emergency report related to the prank, which officials noted diverted valuable emergency resources. The incident sparked widespread attention and highlighted the potential risks of such hoaxes on public safety. The artist expressed surprise at the bear’s viral notoriety, stating he had no knowledge of the buyer's intentions.