Daijiworld Media Network- California
California, Jul 15: Panic gripped residents of Bear Valley Road in Victorville, California, after a chilling discovery left people fearing the worst — a teddy bear that eerily appeared to be made of human skin was found abandoned near a bus stop, sparking police action and community alarm.
The incident occurred on Sunday, when passersby alerted authorities after spotting a grotesque doll propped on the sidewalk next to a gas station. The bear had leathery, skin-like texture, stitched on in a disturbing fashion, with human-like features including lips, a nose, and hollow sockets where eyes should have been — resembling something straight out of a horror film.
The lifelike resemblance triggered fears of a gruesome crime, prompting local law enforcement and forensic teams to cordon off the area and launch a full-fledged investigation.
However, the horror was soon defused. After detailed forensic examination, officials confirmed that the object was not made of actual human skin. “The doll was crafted using synthetic materials and did not contain any human tissue,” stated the coroner's office. A forensic pathologist also ruled out any human origin for the teddy bear’s disturbing features.
Authorities further discovered that such dolls were being sold online, with some bizarre listings falsely claiming they were “made of human skin.” Tracing the origins of the particular bear found in Victorville, the investigation led to an artist based in South Carolina.
Robert Kelly, the creator behind Dark Seed Creations, came forward on social media, confirming the doll was one of his artworks. “Yes, that’s my bear,” he said in a Facebook post, adding that he had sold the item via Etsy to a customer in Victorville.
The artist, known for crafting dark-themed and macabre art, explained that the bear was intended purely as a piece of horror-themed art — not a prank. Still, the presence of such a disturbing figure in a public space sparked fear and confusion among residents, especially those unaware of its artistic intent.
The local police have now closed the case, terming it a “misunderstood art piece” that unintentionally caused public panic. But the bizarre episode has left the town shaken, with many calling for stricter monitoring of such realistic and disturbing art objects, especially those available for sale online.
While no law was broken, authorities have urged citizens to be mindful of the public impact of such items and advised caution in placing grotesque or horror-themed art in public places.
What began as a potential crime scene ended as an eerie but artistic misunderstanding — a reminder that in today's world, even teddy bears aren’t always what they seem.