Kentucky wildlife officials are warning people not to swim in strip pits. Not only is it unsafe. It’s against the law. 18-year-old David DeArmond disappeared last week while swimming in a Muhlenberg County strip pit. It’s one of hundreds of small lakes left by strip mining on the 50,000-acre Peabody Wildlife Management Area that stretches over 3 counties and has for years been a popular location for teen parties and swimming. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the property, and patrols have been stepped up since DeArmond’s body was found days after his disappearance.