Auburndale church member with wife and kids arrested for child porn possession: PCSO

An active member of the First Baptist Church of Auburndale has been arrested on 76 counts of possessing child porn, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Golf cart driver crossing US-92 dies after being stuck by car: PCSO

A golf cart driver is dead after the Polk County Sheriff's Office says he drove across US-92 at the Schalamar Creek Drive intersection in Lakeland before he was struck by a Buick sedan on Tuesday evening.

Polk County caregiver arrested for violently shaking baby: PCSO

The day before Thanksgiving, the Polk County Sheriff's Office received an urgent 911 call about an unresponsive child at an Eagle Lake home.

‘Super speeders’ arrested in Brevard, Polk counties after topping 110 mph, deputies say

Two drivers are facing charges in separate incidents in Brevard and Polk counties after deputies say they were caught traveling well over 100 mph during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Florida man walking ‘buck naked’ in 36-degree weather claims he was doing a TikTok challenge: Grady Judd

A Florida man claiming to be taking part in a TikTok challenge was arrested after he was caught on camera walking ‘buck-naked’ down a Polk County street, according to the sheriff’s office.

Where is Samantha Fiddler? The mystery behind a Canadian mom's disappearance in Polk County

In a case that has puzzled authorities and left a family in anguish, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is intensifying its investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Samantha Fiddler, a Canadian mother of three.

Winter Haven police officer injured in crash

A Winter Haven police officer was injured early Sunday morning in a two-vehicle crash.

Florida mother arrested after boarding school bus, cursing at student and driver: Grady Judd

An angry mother who boarded a Polk County school bus and cursed at a student and the driver was arrested later, along with her daughter, while causing a disturbance at the Davenport High School front office, according to the Sheriff's Office.

'It was just a McMess:' Grady Judd describing angry McDonald's customer shot by employee after dispute

A Davenport McDonald's employee and two customers are facing charges after an argument in the drive-thru line ended with a shooting inside the store early on Sunday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Hooters manager running for mayor of Lakeland

A 24-year-old Lakelander is one of the youngest candidates ever running for mayor.

Lawsuit accuses Polk County Sheriff’s Office of failures during 2016 child rape investigation

A new lawsuit accuses the Polk County Sheriff’s Office of a "pattern, policy, practice and custom, of failing to adequately train and supervise its officers resulting in the deprivation of minors’ constitutional rights."

Florida man with thermos inserted in body caught sneaking it into Polk County Jail: ‘Put it up the exit ramp'

A Florida man who is no stranger to the law wound up back in jail and the subject of one of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd’s most unusual "Morning Briefings" due to how he tried to smuggle a thermos inside the jail.

Retired Polk County deputy accused of fleeing from deputies with unrestrained child in front seat of car

A retired Polk County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested over the weekend after fleeing from deputies with an unrestrained child in the front seat of his car, according to officials.

Polk County teacher accused of sending child pornography on messaging app

A Polk County teacher was arrested on Friday after he was caught downloading and sending videos depicting child pornography, according to deputies. 

Florida man wrongly jailed after deputies confuse him with suspect of similar name

A Jacksonville man spent nearly two weeks in jail and missed the birth of his child after deputies mistakenly arrested him in place of a suspect with a similar name, his attorneys said.