Crestline, California – A 19-year-old man is recovering in the hospital after being attacked by a bear that reached through his bedroom window in the early morning hours at his family’s home in Crestline.

The incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. on June 15, according to Darah Wood, the victim’s mother. She was awakened by a commotion and found her son, Kevin, emerging from his room with his face covered in blood and his lip severely split.

“He’s moderately autistic, so he’s pretty much only verbal when he wants to be,” Wood explained. As Kevin began treating his injuries himself, his mother noticed additional scratches on his stomach and realized a bear had reached through the window screen and clawed at him while he was in bed.

Wood applied pressure to stop the bleeding and eventually scared the bear away by making loud noises and banging pots. She described the animal as large, black with a light brown snout. The family then rushed Kevin to the hospital for treatment.

The attack comes amid a reported increase in bear sightings in the Crestline area, which borders the San Bernardino National Forest. Residents say encounters have become more frequent and bolder this year, with bears showing less fear of humans. Neighbor security cameras have captured bears rummaging through yards, knocking over gates, and accessing bird feeders.

Officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating. They plan to collect DNA evidence from the scene and the victim to potentially identify and locate the specific bear involved.

Bear activity typically rises during warmer months, and authorities urge residents to remove attractants such as unsecured trash, pet food, and bird feeders. Wildlife experts recommend staying alert and following safety guidelines if encountering a bear, including speaking calmly, making oneself appear larger, and avoiding sudden movements or running.

Kevin is expected to recover from his injuries. The family is grateful he survived what could have been a far more serious encounter. Local residents remain on edge as officials work to address the growing human-bear conflicts in the mountain community.