In a remarkable display of innovation and determination, law enforcement in Lake County, Florida, has recruited an "unconventional ally" to help solve a difficult cold case: an Asian small-clawed otter named Splash.
Splash is assisting detectives in the search for Nicole Baldwin, a Mount Dora mother of three who has been missing "for over two years". While the investigation involves major agencies like the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, it is this 12-pound otter from Peace River Search and Rescue that is currently making headlines.
A Unique Skill Set
Splash is not your average search animal. According to his handler, Michael Hadsell, the otter's size, temperament, and intelligence make him "ideal for search and recovery efforts". However, it is his biological capabilities that truly set him apart.
Splash has the ability to "'taste' the water" to find clues. By exhaling bubbles and then inhaling them back in, otters can "detect the scent of decomposition even in murky or deep water". This distinct talent offers investigators a "new perspective" in searching the bodies of water surrounding Mount Dora.
Splash is already a seasoned veteran, having been deployed on "27 missions, six of which resulted in positive identifications of evidence or human remains".
'Open Checkbook' for Justice
The decision to bring in a trained otter highlights the unwavering commitment of the local police to find answers. Sgt. Gary Hutcheson of the Mount Dora Police Department, a 36-year veteran of law enforcement, admitted that using a search and recovery otter is a "first for him".
Despite the novelty, the department is dedicated to using every resource available.
"When it comes to a murder case, we have a pretty much an open checkbook," Sgt. Hutcheson said. "We'll do what we have to do to solve the crime."
The Search Continues
Conditions are currently favorable for Splash and the dive teams. With the local water table sitting at a "seasonal low," investigators believe now is an "opportune time to search bodies of water".
The Mount Dora Police Department plans to deploy Splash again in the coming weeks to investigate a "new area of interest". As long as questions remain, Splash and the team are committed to "leaving no stone—or bubble—unturned".
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