‘Human Skin’ Teddy Bear at California Bus Stop Triggers Law Enforcement Investigation

Sheriff’s deputies in Southern California responded to an alarming report regarding a teddy bear that appeared to be made from bloody human tissue. The unsettling discovery occurred in Victorville, roughly 85 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, at a bus stop adjacent to a gas station on Bear Valley Road. According to a coroner’s statement, the unusual object—described as a “doll possibly made of human skin”—was found shortly after noon on Sunday.

Initial investigations revealed that the doll was not of human origin. A deputy coroner investigator examined the item and reported that it was composed of a synthetic material, a conclusion subsequently confirmed by a forensic pathologist, who asserted that there were no traces of human tissue present. The coroner’s office further indicated that similar dolls can be found for sale online, with claims that they are “made of human skin.”

This unusual art piece was identified as a creation of South Carolina artist Robert Kelly, who operates under the name Dark Seed Creations. He confirmed that he crafted the bear and sold it on Etsy to a buyer in Victorville. Kelly has been making these eerie teddy bears for two decades and recognized his work immediately upon seeing images circulating online.

“I completed the order, packaged it, and according to tracking, it was delivered on the 12th,” Kelly stated. Following the buzz generated by the incident, he began receiving numerous messages the very next day. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, as San Bernardino County authorities continue to look into the matter.

Kelly has noted that his creations, which often aim for a haunting aesthetic, are made of latex. He has employed various dyes to replicate the appearance of human skin, catering to clients in the haunted attraction and novelty markets.