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Manatees across the waters of Florida can breath a sign of relief. The woman who was caught on camera hitching a ride on back of an endangered sea mammal has turned herself in.
Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez says that she was new to the area and didn’t think there was anything wrong with riding a manatee.
Gutierrez was spotted on Sunday on top of a manatee of the waters of the Tampa Bay-area Fort De Soto Park. Fellow beach goers were aghast and snapped pictures of her while calling police. However, by the time authorities arrived, Gutierrez was nowhere to be seen.
The story soon went viral, and Gutierrez, 52, decided to turn herself in.
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Gutierrez has not been arrested but still could be charged with violating the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act. The case has been forwarded to a state attorney. If prosecuted, she could face second degree misdemeanor charges.
Authorities also say that the manatee Gutierrez was riding is thought to have gone unharmed.
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