Tot Given Away, Penis Shot, Animatronic Trump: Weird Florida

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the more unusual, wacky, wonderful or just plain weird stories that have had people talking over the past few weeks:

Florida Man’s Penis Shot Could Land Him In Jail: Report

A Jacksonville man is the second Floridian to make headlines in recent weeks for suffering an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound that could wind up with jail time after a hospital stay. The most recent incident occurred Friday morning, sending that Jacksonville man to the hospital with an injury to his penis.

Potentially Deadly Parasite Found In Florida Counties

University of Florida researchers have found evidence of a potentially deadly parasite in five counties across the state, including Hillsborough. The study was designed to determine the geographic distribution of the rat lungworm, which is known to cause meningitis in humans.

Man Who Helped Lost Girl Says His Life Is ‘Tarnished’ By Facebook Shaming

A 39-year-old Lakeland man called out on Facebook as a “child molester” after he tried to help a lost toddler reunite with her family says his life has been tainted by the experience. What was intended to be an act of kindness was mistaken as an abduction attempt. While police believed him, the child’s parents and their friends did not.

Forger Caught Holding The Bag: Deputies

A stolen vehicle is probably not the best transportation to use when hauling two duffel bags full of forging equipment and forged documents. A 33-year-old Dade City man reportedly found that out the hard way on Tuesday.

Termite-Tented Homes Targeted By Burglar

A 36-year-old man faces a long list of criminal charges after St. Petersburg Police say they connected him with a string of residential burglaries that have taken place over the past five weeks. While most people avoid homes that are tented for termite extermination, police say David Cooper targeted properties being treated during a burglary spree that didn’t end until his arrest on Saturday, June 24.

No Sad, Silent Trump For Disney’s Hall Of Presidents: Report

A petition drive that garnered more than 14,000 signatures wasn’t enough to get Walt Disney World to break a tradition that began during the Clinton Administration. A spokeswoman for the Florida theme park announced over the weekend that the animatronic being made for President Donald Trump’s entry in its Hall of Presidents will have a fully functional voice box.

Florida Mom Tried To Give Tot Away: Cops

A 31-year-old Vero Beach woman faces charges after police say she tried to give her child away to strangers at a Kountry Kitchen restaurant.

Fake Cop Jailed After Illegal Traffic Stop: Sheriff

An accused fake cop got to see the inside of a real jail Wednesday afternoon after Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies say his attempt to pull over a motorist didn’t work out so well for him.

Divebombing Spider Causes Car’s Crash Into Pole

A Florida woman’s Tuesday morning commute took an unusual turn when she happened to spot a hitchhiking spider perched atop a web above her head. When that spider decided to scale down its silk and land on her leg, things took a dangerous turn.