Authorities in Illinois said a severed foot a boy reported spotting in a lake was found by a search team to be "a fake Halloween prop."

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Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Christopher Thompson and Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief John Skillman said a boy reported hooking the foot Wednesday while fishing in Lake Marie and said he reeled it to within 3 feet of his boat before it fell back into the water, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.

Thompson said a sonar and diving team scoured the lake for 8 1/2 hours before finding the foot and determining it to be "a fake Halloween prop."

"Needless to say, everyone involved is relieved that the foot turned out to be a fake one," Thompson said.