‘Where’s your parents?’: Florida police spot 8-year-old boy riding Jet Ski alone

By Thaddeus Randazzo, Emily Van de Riet at KGNS — Sitewide · July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) — Police in Florida are reminding residents and visitors about water safety after officers spotted an 8-year-old boy riding a personal watercraft alone.Sarasota police posted body camera video of an officer with the Marine Patrol Unit stopping the boy in the water ...

Why this matters in The Laredo

In Laredo, where waterways like the Rio Grande pose unique safety challenges, the incident in Florida serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilant water safety enforcement. While the Rio Grande presents different hazards than the coastal waters of Florida, the principle of ensuring that young operators are properly supervised and licensed remains crucial. Local authorities should take note of the Florida incident and consider reviewing their own water safety protocols to prevent similar situations from arising in our community. The fact that the 8-year-old boy in Florida was allowed to operate a Jet Ski despite being well below the legal age limit is a troubling oversight that could have had disastrous consequences. As Laredo's waterways attract recreational users, it is vital that parents and guardians are aware of and adhere to safety regulations to prevent accidents and ensure a safe experience for all users.

About this story

Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide. The Laredo surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 2, 2026 · Source: KGNS — Sitewide · Reading time: 1 min

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This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.

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This story was reported by Thaddeus Randazzo, Emily Van de Riet at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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The Laredo is published by Nexcom Media as part of the Nexcom Media Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover Laredo TX news, United Independent School District (UISD) and Laredo Independent School District (LISD), United High School, Laredo. Our reporting is supported by display advertising, sponsorships, and reader donations — with sponsored placements clearly attributed. Read our ownership disclosures at thelaredo.org/ownership.

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