Dad Attacked by Bear in Front of His Son Has Died, Family Says

NEED TO KNOW

A 72-year-old Arkansas man has died after being injured in an attack by a juvenile black bear earlier this month

When Vernon Patton's son arrived to check on him on Sept. 3, he found his father being mauled in the Mulberry Mountain area, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said in an initial statement

Patton, of Ozark, Ark., died on Sunday, Sept. 14

A 72-year-old Arkansas man has died after being injured in a black bear attack earlier this month, according to state officials and his family.

A spokesperson for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission told PEOPLE that Vernon Patton of Ozark, Ark., died on Sunday, Sept. 14, less than two weeks after encountering the animal in the Mulberry Mountain area on Wednesday, Sept. 3. His family also confirmed the news with KNWA/KFT