Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could have been fined for dumping a dead bear cub in Central Park, but the statute of limitations has expired, according to the state agency that investigated the 2014 incident.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation led the investigation and stated on Monday that their forensic analysis concluded the bear died from blunt-force trauma consistent with a high-speed collision. The case was closed due to insufficient evidence to determine any violations.

Kennedy admitted in a video on social media that he left the bear cub in the park as a joke after picking it up outside the city. He intended to skin and eat it but ended up leaving it near a bike path.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said the one-year statute of limitations for the 2014 incident has long expired.

The DEC noted that it’s illegal to dispose of a dead bear without a tag or permit, with fines up to $250 for the first offense. However, the statute of limitations is one year, preventing charges for incidents older than that.

Ron Kuby, a New York criminal defense lawyer, stated Kennedy might have faced additional penalties from the city for illegal dumping, possibly a civil fine up to $1,000, but not criminal charges.

Kennedy’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. The city Department of Sanitation used the incident as a teaching moment on social media, providing information on proper animal disposal.

The DEC also provided guidance on how to legally dispose of animals, emphasizing the need for permits from DEC or local law enforcement.