Alligator bites 6-year-old boy in Livingston Parish

A 6-year-old boy is recovering after he was bitten by an alligator in Louisiana. (Source: WAFB)
Published: Jul. 10, 2022 at 4:03 PM CDT|Updated: Jul. 10, 2022 at 10:15 PM CDT
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. (WAFB) - Tiffany Cressione and her family were out enjoying a boat ride on Lake Maurepas Sunday when they stopped to swim at the sandbar, right outside of the Tickfaw River. Shortly after getting in the water, Tiffany heard a sound no parent wants to hear.

“We were out there, my son all of a sudden screamed something bit me, my husband picked him up out of the water not knowing what it was. And he said ‘get me in the boat’, I looked over my husband’s shoulder and could see a gator behind him. We live here so we religiously look all around but obviously there was one out there that we didn’t see,” said Tiffany.

An alligator bit a 6-year-old child on Lake Maurepas Sunday, July 10.
An alligator bit a 6-year-old child on Lake Maurepas Sunday, July 10.(Submitted)

Once Tiffany and her husband realized what happened, the family sprang into action.

“Everybody jumped in their spots to do what they were supposed to do. My 16-year-old took pictures and dropped a pin so we could file the reports, we had the first-aid supplies on the boat to make sure that we were able to take care of his foot,” Tiffany explained.

An alligator bit a 6-year-old child on Lake Maurepas Sunday, July 10.
An alligator bit a 6-year-old child on Lake Maurepas Sunday, July 10.(Submitted)

Thankfully, 6-year-old Gavin is okay. His mom said he was taken to the hospital to get patched up and didn’t even shed a tear.

“His 9-year-old sister was bawling in the boat, and he was calming her down, ‘I’m gonna be fine Livy, it’s okay’,” Tiffany added.

An alligator bit a 6-year-old child on Lake Maurepas Sunday, July 10.
An alligator bit a 6-year-old child on Lake Maurepas Sunday, July 10.(Submitted)

Officials with the Livingston Parish Fire District 2 issued a warning to folks on Facebook to stop feeding the gators. It says too many folks are feeding them, which is causing them to feel more comfortable approaching boats and swimmers.

The Livingston Parish Fire Protection District #2 is warning people against feeding alligators...
The Livingston Parish Fire Protection District #2 is warning people against feeding alligators after a child was bitten by one in Lake Maurepas.(Livingston Parish Fire Protection District No. 2)

“They put that out because it’s a fact, people are feeding them illegally. The other thing is there’s at least 50% less game than there were 100 years ago. Gators are struggling with all the people fishing and you know, a big part of their diet is disappearing so...that’s the big issue,” said Jim Nesci, alligator and reptile specialist.

Gavin is already back to racing his monster trucks around his home.

The family says they’ll double-check their surroundings next time they get in the water.

Click here to report a typo.

Copyright 2022 WAFB. All rights reserved.