25 September 2023 , 04:59
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A homeless woman's daughter has slammed claims she taunted an alligator before being killed by the animal.
Sabrina Peckham, 41, was identified by police after a passer-by made the shocking discovery in Pinellas County, Florida. A formal cause of death is still to be determined by the coroner, however the reptile reportedly dragged her body into the canal before killing her.
Peckham, reported to have been homeless at the time of her death, was arrested for trespassing onto county wetland on July 14. The arrest was made just half a mile from where she was found dead on Friday.
Peckham's daughter, Breauna Dorris, has now defending her mum saying she was likely attacked by the gator as she was walking to her homeless camp in darkness - saying she would not have taunted to engaged with the animal.
Dorris wrote in a Facebook post: "My mother was a part of the homeless population that lived in the nearby wooded area. It is believed that she may have been walking to or from her camp site near the creek in the dark and the alligator attacked from the water. My mother, Sabrina Peckham was the victim of the alligator attack at McCay Creek (rainbow village). Please understand that we do not have all information yet as the medical examiners report is not yet finished.
Alligator spotted with jaws taped shut and struggling before being rescued
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Sabrina Peckham, 41, was found in the jaws of the alligator after being dragged by the 14-foot beast into a canal on Friday in Largo, Clearwater (Facebook)"Some details I would like to share is that my mother did not 'taunt' the alligator as some are saying in the news outlets comments. We expected to have many many more years with her. Unfortunately god has called her home sooner than our hearts were ready."
Dorris also addressed her mother directly in the heartfelt statement, adding: "To my mother: I love you more than I ever expressed, I miss you more than you'll ever know and I pray that you are looking down over me and your grandchildren. Please protect us. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I pray you are at peace and you are no longer struggling or hurting. I pray you found momo and pop and you all are watching down from above."
JaMarcus Bullard told Tampa Fox affiliate WTVT he saw the reptile with "a body in its mouth" and the incident left him worried about children in a nearby school. "All I can think about is all of these little kids that go to the school right behind me," said Bullard, who though he had seen a mannequin at first.
Jamarcus Bullard said he made a horrific discovery on Friday afternoon by a canal on 134th Avenue North (WFLA)Bullard said children "come this way every single day" and he was looking for fish while he was waiting for a job interview when the disturbing sight met his eyes.
"I noticed it had a body in its mouth, like a lower torso," he said. "So once I realised that, I ran straight to the fire department and got them. They confirmed there was a body. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said the beast was "humanely" killed after the incident was reported. The sheriff's office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating the incident.
"A lot of my neighbours were out here, and they're the ones that told me about the gator," Jennifer Dean told Bay News 9. She said the beast was the largest she had ever seen that there are lots of alligators in the area.