A teddy bear which appeared to have been made of human skin has sparked panic after being left on a sidewalk in California.
The macabre find was left outside a local convenience station on Bear Valley Road in San Bernardino County at around noon on Sunday.
Authorities were called after receiving reports of "human remains", per the New York Post, after a passerby found the gruesome teddy.
The bear appeared to be covered in a skin-like material, which had been sewn together with surgical stitches, and had a terrifyingly human nose and eye.
Authorities rushed to the location where the bear was found sitting on the sidewalk, and the outside of the convenience store was cordoned off while they investigated, per KTLA.
While the investigation is still underway, an Etsy creator has come forward claiming that the bear is one of their creations, leading people to hope it was left there as a prank.
Etsy seller DarkSeedCreations wrote on Facebook: "Lol so about an hour ago I found out a news article in Victorville Ca has one of my skin bears used in a prank at a bus station there.
"My phone is dying from trying to keep up with answering everyone lol. So here is the basics: Yes I made the bear in the news video.
"Yes that's my etsy shop screenshotted on tbe news articles. Yes I did ship that bear to an etsy customer in Victorville CA last week. Yes you can still order one too."
They also confirmed: "No I did not have any knowledge of the buyers intentions nor was I involved in a prank on the other side of the nation from me."
Their Etsy shop, which has been open for eight years, sells a host of horror-movie-style items, including various things which are made to appear to be wrapped in human skin.
The "human skin teddy bears" are still available to buy for around $165, and the material is listed as latex.
The description states: "Medium sized teddy bear covered in random sections of skin. Perfect for snuggling or hiding in someone’s bed, each bear is a original design."
The creator, Robert Kelly, told ABC7: "I guess I'd probably be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying it a little bit. I'm an independent artist so I know what starving artist life feels like, so a little attention is sometimes good!"
While he said he does not condone the bear being left outside to terrify others, he added: "It looks like he definitely got some people riled up!"
The bear was removed from where it was found by a coroner, though the findings of their investigation have not yet been revealed.