Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"Child's Foot" Found On Lawn Was Actually Bear Paw
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 8, 2011
Modified Nov 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 8, 2011
Modified Nov 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The good news is, that dismembered body part found on a lawn in Rosedale Queens Sunday was not a child's foot, as initially reported, but rather a bear paw. The bad news is there could be one pissed-off bear hobbling around Queens looking for some payback. And apparently, this sort of mix-up happens all the time.
The Times spoke with Bradley Adams, the chief forensic anthropologist in the New York City medical examiner’s office, and he asks, "How could someone confuse a bear and a human? It’s more common than you think." Hey, who hasn't woken up next to a bear after a wild, passionate night with a hirsute stranger? Dr. Adams says the city deals with about 30 animal bones mistaken for human remains every year, but usually he gets sent body parts for more "food-oriented" animals. Bears are more rare.
In this case, Dr. Adams reviewed an X-ray of the decomposing paw on Monday morning and was confident it was a bear. He later confirmed this by examining the paw in person. Of course, it's unclear how the paw and the bear were separated, but he speculates that it could be a hunter cut the claws off for a trophy or necklace, then tossed the rest in the general direction of the garbage. But in a happy twist, the paw won't go to waste—it'll remain with the medical examiner's office for "teaching purposes."
Tagged
bear claw
bear paw
child's foot
queens
rosedale
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures two, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .