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36th Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally Hosted At Haines City

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36th Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally Hosted At Haines City

36th Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally Hosted At Haines City

by James Coulter

They say the two things you should never discuss over dinner are politics and religion.

Last Friday, Haines City residents had the opportunity to discuss at least one of those two topics during a fancy yet down-home barbecue dinner.

The 36th Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally was hosted at the Lake Eva Event Center in Haines City on Friday, allowing members of the surrounding community to come together and enjoy an evening of barbecue and politics.

Within the atrium, more than two dozen political candidates running for local and state positions set up booths where they and their representatives were able to meet with guests and discuss their political stances.

Meanwhile, within the main conference area, dinner tables were set up, allowing the guests and candidates to sit down and enjoy a barbecue dinner prepared by John Michael Exquisite Weddings & Catering, and all while listening to the musical stylings of the Steel Horse band.

Later in the evening, the more than two dozen candidates participated within the Parade of Candidates, where they each had the individual opportunity to appear on stage, introduce themselves, and tell the audience what positions they were running for.

Once guests were finished eating their meals and mingling with the candidates, they had the opportunity to participate within a straw ballot poll to cast their votes for which candidates they agreed with the most.

Also hosted during the event that evening was a 50/50 raffle, where guests could use half of their meal ticket to bid on various prizes donated by local sponsors.

For the past 36 years, the Haines City Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this political rally and dinner to help introduce local residents to their political candidates and learn where they stand on the most important issues.

“As a business organization, that is very important to us,” said Tracy Mouncey, Pig Roast Chair. “It is an annual event…to allow citizens and Chamber members to get educated and informed about candidates that were running and to make the right decisions about who they wanted in office and who they wanted representing their interests.”

For many political candidates, this was their first time attending the event as it was also their first time running; while for other more seasoned politicans, this was one of many years they had attended.

Rep. Sam Killebrew, who is currently running unopposed for District 41, has been attending this event for the past four years. What keeps him coming back each and every year is the overall camaraderie among his local constituents.

“Politics is all about relationships, and this is how you see people that you normally wouldn’t be able to see,” he said. “It gives people the ability to see the candidates, talk to them, and see where they are coming from and helps them make up their minds on who they would want to vote for.”

Killebrew was most impressed by the turnout of this year’s event, especially since he claimed it managed to draw in a much larger crowd than a similar political rally hosted in Winter Haven the evening prior.

For him, being able to meet one-on-one with the very people that he serves is the biggest draw for the event, especially since it allows him the opportunity to meet people he had never seen before.

“I met a lady tonight that her son and my son went to school together over in St. Pete about 30 to 40 years ago,” he said. “It has been the first time that we have seen each other since then. So it’s about seeing old and new friends.”

Mayor Morris West had been attending the event for the past two years. He appreciates how it allows him to mingle among his fellow constituents within the city, as well as meet and know many of the political candidates running for office.

“There are a lot of excellent candidates tonight,” he said. “I think that the ones in the primaries that present themselves well tonight will be the ones that prevail in November. So I thank you for the turnout tonight for the city of Haines City, and we are glad to be a sponsor for the event.”

Such camaraderie among citizens and candidates has allowed the event to prosper over the past 36 years, and it will hopefully allow the event to grow in coming years, to the point where they may even have to relocate to a larger venue, Mouncey said.

“I am so thankful for our many sponsors and volunteers who make it happen,” Mouncey said. “It truly could [not have gone] off so flawlessly without everyone’s input, and it takes a lot to make it happen.”

Locals Meet Their Politicians At Winter Haven Whistle Stop

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Locals Meet Their Politicians At Winter Haven Whistle Stop

Locals Meet Their Politicians At Winter Haven Whistle Stop

by James Coulter

Every election year, we often only hear from politicians on television through their campaign ads and their appearances on debates and forums.

Rarely do we ever get the chance to actually meet them in person and ask them where they stand on the real issues.

Winter Haven residents were allowed to do exactly that during the annual Winter Haven Whistle Stop Political Rally last Thursday.

Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at Nora Mayo Hall, the annual political hob nob and barbecue brought in more than two dozen political canidates running for local and state offices, allowing local residents to meet them in person and get to know them and their stances on the issues.

Once guests learned more about each of the candidates, they were then able to cast their votes through a straw ballot poll to show which of the candidates they supported most. (For the results of the straw poll, click here: http://www.winterhavenchamber.com/blog/results-from-whistle-stop-winter-haven-2018)

When not getting involved with politics, guests could also enjoy a good old-fashioned southern barbecue dinner served by Rick’s BBQ while listening to the musical stylings of local acoustic bluegrass band Polkweed Musique.

The more than 24 political candidates who attended that evening were running for positions on the county commission board, county school board, and even for state representative.

Some of the canidates were weathered politicans with years and even decades of political experience under their belt.

Mellony Bell, Polk County Commissioner for District 2, had served on the county commission for the past eight years, and hopes to use her experience to serve as a Florida State Representative for District 56.

As a champion for the arts, education, and economic development, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that funds are diversified and directed towards causes that benefit the next generation of Polk County residents.

She hopes to continue serving her constituents at the state level by further advocating for such initiatives for education and economic development in Tallahassee.

“We need to fund education at the level where it needs to be funded,” she said. “If you get education right, everything else falls into place, economic development, tourism, all of it comes together.”

This was her fourth time attending the Winter Haven Whistle Stop. Each and every time, she keeps coming back to get to know the people that she serves on a personal level.

“It gives them the opportunity to meet the candidates and make an educated choice when they go to the polls,” she said.

While some candidates had years of political experience under their belts, for others, this was their first time stepping into the political arena.

Sarah Fortney had previously spent 33 years teaching science at Stambaugh Middle School in Auburndale. Now she wants to use that experience to further serve students and others though the Polk County School Board by running for District 3.

Not only does she bring her own personal experience, but that of her many colleagues. She wishes to use the relationships she has fostered through the years to ensure that the school board best meets their educational needs.

“I bring the passion and the energy that the school board has been lacking to stand up for students and all employees in our district,” she said.

With this being her first time as a political candidate, she appreciated how the event allowed her the opportunity to meet people old and new and share with them her vision for the school board.

“I have had more interaction with the actual voters than any other event that I have been to,” she said. “I actually don’t have to worry about being on a stage with predetermined questions. I can actually socialize with real people and get their real concerns.”

Katie Worthington, President/CEO of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, appreciates how this event allows locals to meet their local politicans one-on-one, allowing them to have a more personal experience partaking in their democracy.

“We have a lot of candidates that have come out to meet the public, which I think is one of the unique parts of this event, which is to be able to put a face to a name,” she said. “It gives you a chance to learn about issues that are real important to you.”

While the overall turnout appeared smaller to her than in previous years, Worthington was assured by her colleagues that sales were strong despite being low, either due to political burnout or because of the time of the year.

Either way, the turnout proved to be just as vibrant, as it allowed both local politicans and constituents the opportunity to see and talk about the issues that affect their local community.

“I personally enjoy seeing everyone come out and celebrate one of the greatest things we get to do as Americans, which is vote,” she said. “All the candidates were able to do a great job coming out and meeting constituents and seeming to have a good time…We are excited that so many people came out to support democracy.”

Three Easy Ways to Vote

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Three Easy Ways to Vote

Three Easy Ways to Vote

POLK COUNTY, FL (August 6, 2018) – Polk County voters have three easy ways to vote in the August 28th Statewide Primary Election, according to Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards.

  1. At your precinct.  Polling locations will be open from 7 am until 7 pm on Election Day.
  2. Vote by Mail.  Requests can be made by calling Election Headquarters or visiting PolkElections.com.  The last day voters can request a mail ballot to be mailed for this election is Wednesday, August 22nd.  All mail ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections by 7 pm on Election Day.
  3. Vote early.  Voting will be available at nine convenient locations around Polk County from August 18th through August 25th.  Early voting hours are 10 am until 6 pm daily.

Early Voting Locations

Bartow            Polk Street Community Center                                   1255 Polk Street

Davenport      Davenport Community Center                                   5 S Allapaha Ave

Haines City     Haines City Library                                                      111 N 6th Street

Lakeland         Simpson Park Community Center                              1725 Martin L King Jr Ave

Lakeland         Polk County Government Center                               930 E Parker Street

Lake Wales     Eagle Ridge Mall                                                         451 Eagle Ridge Drive

Mulberry        Mulberry Phosphate Museum                                    101 SE 1st St

Poinciana       Poinciana Community Center                                     395 Marigold Avenue

Winter Haven Gill Jones Northeast Polk County Govt Center           3425 Lake Alfred Road

For more information, visit PolkElections.com or call the Elections Office at 863-534-5888.

 

K9s For Cops Presents “An Evening with the Stars” Memorial Banquet Featuring David A.R. White, Star of the “God’s Not Dead” Film Series

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K9s For Cops Presents “An Evening with the Stars” Memorial Banquet Featuring David A.R. White, Star of the “God’s Not Dead” Film Series

K9s For Cops Presents “An Evening with the Stars” Memorial Banquet

Featuring David A.R. White, Star of the “God’s Not Dead” Film Series

Tickets now available for the annual fundraiser event on Saturday, September 29.

LAKELAND, FLA. – The Estates at Carpenters and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are proud to present the sixth annual “An Evening with the Stars” to benefit K9s for Cops. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, September 29 at The Lone Palm Golf and Country Club.  A VIP Reception and Silent Auction Preview starts at 5:30 p.m.  Dinner is at 6:15 p.m. Proceeds will help K9s for Cops purchase police dogs for the Polk County Sheriff’s K9 Unit.  Dinner tickets are $55 per person. Dinner & VIP Reception tickets are $105.

David A.R White, a founding partner of Pure Flix Entertainment, is this year’s featured speaker. With many credits to his name, Mr. White’s career hit new heights in 2014 with the release of the Pure Flix “God’s Not Dead” film series, in which he also starred. It soon became one of the most successful independent faith-based films of all time, making Pure Flix the most successful Christian film production company in the industry.

Crossfire Gospel Quartet will be the featured musical guests, and as always, Sheriff Judd will be a special guest speaker at the event. The event will also include a fun meet-and-greet with the K9 Units.

This year’s event marks the 12th Anniversary of the passing of Deputy Matt Williams and his K9 partner DiOGi who were killed in the line of duty. The event was started to honor Deputy Williams, DiOGi and all our law enforcement officers that protect our community every day. As of March 2018, K9 for Cops has raised over $120,000 and purchased 13 dogs for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, contact Michelle Robare at 863.370.9172 or email [email protected]. To donate, make checks payable to The Estates at Carpenters and designate K9s for Cops in the memo line. Tax ID #59-2347336.

***

About K9s for Cops

K9s for Cops is a charitable partnership between The Estates at Carpenters, the area’s premier not-for-profit Life Plan Community, and the Polk County Sheriff’s K9 Unit. The organization was formed to show appreciation for the dedication and commitment of local law enforcement officers and to help offset the costs of purchasing dogs for the unit. The average cost of a K9 dog is $8,500. K9s for Cops was founded in 2011 and as of 2018 has purchased 13 dogs for the Unit.

K9s for Cops was born out of The Estates at Carpenters’ social accountability efforts and commitment to a philanthropic mission. Through the Carpenters Cares program, The Estates at Carpenters allocates the commitment of time, expense, and capital to making a difference in the lives of residents, staff, families and community.

Viral Music Video “Awakens” People To Take Solidarity In Empathy

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Viral Music Video “Awakens” People To Take Solidarity In Empathy

Viral Music Video “Awakens” People To Take Solidarity In Empathy

by James Coulter

“My mother always told me where there’s a will, there’s a way. So what if we all had the will to help one another one a daily basis? I’m not just talking about those who are closest to us, and those we love the most, but a simple stranger. After all, it could be me, it could be you, on a different day. That’s all we need to do to make the world a better place.”

Caleb Vilca, lead singer of Perfect Sequence, opens his band’s newest music video, Awaken, with these words, encouraging his watchers to take the song’s message to heart.

As the band plays their song, the video cuts to various scenes of lone men in white masks. One sits outside a building holding a sign. The other struggles to get their dropped keys while walking in braces. Another leaves behind a pair of hair clippers.

Each of these masked individuals represent everyday people who go unnoticed by the public while struggling with some affliction, be it homelessness, disability, or illness.

Both the song and the video serve as a call to action to “awaken” and take notice of those around us and to help those who need help the most, especially when their plights go largely ignored.

“We cannot deny that we could be them on a different day and be in their situation,” Vilca said. “So the thought of [the video] would be that it would be nice of that to get some help and empathy from others.”

His video, through its song and visuals, touch upon different social issues such as disability, sickness, and homelessness. By bringing these subjects to light, its message inspires people to “awaken” to these issues and how people all around us struggle with them.

Vilca knows about these issues all too well. Growing up, he had several family members diagnosed with cancer. Some were able to overcome it. Others were not.

As a teenager, he and his family were homeless for a few days. They inevitably found a home, but the overall experience was one that no one should need to go through.

“The reality is that no one should have to feel like they don’t have a home, that they don’t have a place to call home,” he said.

Growing up with asthma, he was often bullied by other children for not being able to be as athletic as others, because he often would have to catch his own breath.

Many of his friends struggled with mental illness, especially anxiety and depression. Growing up with such experiences allowed him to better empathize with others going through similar struggles.

“Knowing that you have something that you don’t have control over, or that you struggle with, can make a difference in your character and how you can appreciate what the things you can actually do,” he said.

As someone who has personally dealt with sickness, homelessness, disability, and mental illness within his own life, he knows that there are many other people out there who have not and who may not be able to empathize with such issues.

“I thought that one way of speaking of these subjects is to honor them by mentioning them and making sure people know that [we] believe strongly that these people are worthy of empathy and acts of kindness for them, regardless of how small they may be,” he said.

The music video itself was made with little to no budget, using only the recording equipment that Vilca and his band members already had.

Since being uploaded on July 22, the video has gone viral, having since surpassed four thousand views and receiving notice of many new outlets such as Univision and Naples Daily News.

“It was something we are very grateful because it gives us the ability to share that message and reach it farther than we could have expected,” he said.

Vilca immigrated to Florida from Lima, Peru at the young age of 11. His family was invested in the visual arts, yet he desired to enter the musical arts as a musician and songwriter.

In high school, he learned to play guitar, and even put together his own band which played together for one year before disbanding after graduation.

By 2010, he decided to follow his dream by pursing his music degree and playing open mic night within various places in his college town in Naples.

He moved to New York City in 2012, where he went through various apprenticeships and started seeking out members for his new band. By 2014, he created Perfect Sequence and released their first song, and later the music video in 2015.

In every one of their endeavors, be it music video or live performances, Vilca desired to use his songs to spread messages out to the people.

“I always had something to say,” he said. “Ever since I was little, I had things that were important to me, and I did not find that ability through visual art, which is why I was determined to make it through music.”

While he and his band have been struggling financially, they still do what they can to help others even at their own expense.

Perfect Sequence has volunteered to perform at various fundraisers. One of their more recent performances was in Cape Coral for a fundraiser for NAMI, an organization that raises awareness for anxiety and depression.

Whether through his music or through his own outreach, Vilca and his band members are always more than willing to lend a helping hand and provide an empathetic ear.

“If there is someone who wants to speak out about the subjects that we perform, we are there and we may be able to help,” he said. “If everybody provided, then these people struggling through these challenges may not feel as lost.”

To watch their latest music video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctr8GF9YOlA

To download the song, visit their iTunes page: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/perfect-sequence/952594631

To learn more about the band, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/perfectsequence/

Masked Burglary Suspect Caught By Winter Haven K9

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Masked Burglary Suspect Caught By Winter Haven K9

Winter Haven Police K-9 Apprehends Burglary Suspect

On 8-4-18 at approximately 5 a.m., an alarm call was received from Sherman’s Antiques located at 1103 6th St NW. The alarm indicated the rear door of the business was opened.

When officers arrived, 42 year-old Gene Frangipane (DOB 9-30-75, 308 Farnol St. SW, Winter Haven) was found at the back door wearing a black mask and holding a screwdriver in one hand and a bag with burglary tools in the other hand. When Frangipane saw officers, he ran through the alley behind the business.

K-9 Officer Collazo released his partner, Miko, and Frangipane was apprehended a short distance away. Good Pup!

A criminal history check uncovered that Frangipane had a warrant from Lake County for failure to appear on a Battery charge. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with Burglary to a Structure, Possession of Burglary Tools, Criminal Mischief, Resisting without Violence, Wearing a Mask in the Commission of a Felony and the Out of County Warrant.

Accident Involving Multiple Trauma Victims Affecting Westbound Traffic On I-4 Near Lakeland

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Accident Involving Multiple Trauma Victims Affecting Westbound Traffic On I-4 Near Lakeland

**** Update ****

According to the FHP a 45 yr old Orlando woman, Tanisha Hunt, was killed in an accident on I-4 Friday night, about 7:40pm. The vehicle she was traveling in, 2003 Ford Explorer, had a rear tire blow out. That sent the vehicle across multiple lanes into the media hitting a barrier. Hunt, not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle Arthur Hunt, 51, and another passenger Latrice Jones, 42, both of Orlando, were seriously injured and taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. They both were wearing seatbelts.

Lakeland, Florida – The Florida Hwy Patrol is reporting a rollover accident in the westbound lanes of 1-4 at MM 36 near Lakeland. It appears to be a single vehicle crash involving multiple injuries. The crash involved 2 trauma victims & 1 fatality. iThe roadway is still accessible at this time, but that may change as officials get on scene. The accident occurred 7:42pm.

We will update as information is available. This is a very, very bad crash.

Florida Polytech Proposes Winter Haven “Smart City” Transformation

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Florida Polytech Proposes Winter Haven “Smart City” Transformation

Florida Polytech Proposes Winter Haven “Smart City” Transformation

by James Coulter

Imagine it’s 20 years in the future. You’ve finished your shopping in Downtown Winter Haven. You approach the bus terminal to take the bus home, only to discover the last bus has departed.

No problem! You take out your phone and use your ride-sharing app to summon a cab. In only a few minutes, a self-driving car pulls up to the sidewalk to take you to your destination.

While taking your trip back home, you realize that you’ve forgot to buy oranges while shopping, and you’re supposed to make orange chicken for tonight’s dinner.

Again, no problem. Using your smart phone, you use a grocery app to order a parcel of oranges picked from local citrus farms. They should arrive at your doorstep an hour after you arrive at home.

You check the news app to learn that local farmers recently harvested their citrus crops. They were informed by an agricultural app that now was the best time to glean their fruit. So you know that your oranges will have been picked fresh.

This future of self-driving cars, grocery delivery, and agricultural monitoring may seem distant, but it very well could be made a present-day reality through proposals made by students from a local university.

Florida Polytechnic University recently created a study with several proposals to transform Winter Haven into a “smart community.”

Such proposals range from infrastructure improvements to accommodate autonomous vehicles to smart technology to monitor and distribute produce from local farms.

The City of Winter Haven, through the Economic Development Council, had approached the university to help create proposals that would utilize emerging technologies as to better serve local government and business, especially in light of recent economic development.

General Jake Palumbo, a university representative with years of experience within the local Winter Haven community, helped select six interns for the study and assisted them during their research.

“I knew a lot about Winter Haven, the people within it, and also high-tech STEM related technologies,” he said. “It is really helpful for a university to desire to connect to a community…It makes people’s experiences in that city much more enjoyable.”

Through the study, the interns met with local government and business leadership to determine the greatest needs within the local community, as well as conducted research online and through the library to learn about similar smart city initiatives in cities worldwide.

After weeks of research and data collection, the students compiled their findings within the study, highlighting several proposals to incorporate emerging technologies within the local community.

“I really try to help the students think more broadly and more strategically,” Gen. Palumbo said. “So I helped them think more strategically, think more in a way to broaden their horizons to see what Winter Haven could do to step up into that category.”

Some proposals from the study focused on “smart transportation”, with suggestions for improving roadways and parking areas to better facilitate autonomous vehicles, as well as coordinate transportation both on the ground and within the air.

Another suggestion involved utilizing smart technology to help citrus farmers monitor their crops and to improve access to their produce from local businesses and residents.

The university presented their findings to the EDC’s Board of Directors, who were most impressed by the overall quality of the work and presentation of the study’s many proposals.

Most impressive to Bruce Lyon, EDC President, was the overall broad scope of the student’s research, as they gleaned ideas from other communities that could be best implemented within their own.

“We really encouraged them to look worldwide at smart communities around the world and see how they are implemented and to bring back recommendations that had been implemented somewhere else or are being implemented somewhere else,” he said. “My overall expectations is that…we will gain some tremendously great ideas that might make a lot of sense to employ within the community.”

What proposals from the study will become a reality will ultimately be determined by the City of Winter Haven, as city planners and officials will decide which suggestions have the potential of being implemented, explained Dr. Kathryn Miller, Vice Provost of Academic Support Services.

As for the students who participated in the study, their work not only allowed them to improve their STEM field-related skills, but to also gain experience working within their local community, thus ensuring that they can best serve it in the near future.

“It is so important that we are working with our community as we work to have innovative opportunities for our students to develop their problem-solving techniques and their efforts in studies to be high-tech professionals,” Dr. Miller said. “Having that partnership, having those connections to the community really are a terrific way for them to learn and become the next generation of leaders.”

Couple Charged In Death Of 2 Year Old

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Couple Charged In Death Of 2 Year Old

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

County Sheriff’s Office charged a mother and her live-in boyfriend following the death of her two-year-old boy in Davenport. He would have been three-years-old in October.

The couple have been in the Polk County Jail on other charges since Tuesday, July 31st, when the boy died.

The mother is 26-year-old Shannon Short, and her boyfriend is 26-year-old Christian Thompson. Both lived at 130 Memorial Park Avenue, #480, in Davenport, along with the victim, 2-year-old Harley Don Hiatt Jr.

Thompson has been charged with:

• First Degree Murder (F-C)

• Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child (F-1)

• Aggravated Child Abuse (F-1)

• Negligent Child Abuse with Great Bodily Harm (F-2)

• Possession of Marijuana (M-1)

• Possession of Paraphernalia (M-1)

His criminal history includes a 2012 arrest in Nacogdoches, TX, for possession of marijuana, and a February 2018 arrest by PCSO for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, and home solicitation without a permit.

Short has been charged with:

• Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child (F-1)

• Negligent Child Abuse with Great Bodily Harm (F-2)

• Child Abuse (F-3)

• Failure to Report Child Abuse (F-3)

• Possession of Marijuana (M-1)

• Possession of Paraphernalia (M-1)

• VOP (Petit Theft) (M-1)

Her criminal history includes a 2014 arrest in Kaufman, TX, for criminal trespassing; a 2017 arrest in Mission, KS, for battery on LEO; and a January 2018 arrest by Haines City P.D. for grand theft.

“When you hear what this precious baby boy was put through, it’s sickening. His mother knew about the abuse, allowed it, and continued to leave him in the care of his abuser. She and her boyfriend even joked about it. The whole thing is heartbreaking, and I don’t think it’s possible for me to be more disgusted by their actions.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

According to their affidavits, on the morning of July 31, 2018, at about 3:01 a.m., the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a call in reference to an unresponsive toddler at the above listed address. The child was transported to Heart of Florida Hospital, where medical staff determined he had a brain bleed. The child, Harley Hiatt, Jr., was pronounced deceased at 6:55 a.m.

Visible bruising on his face, and a rash on his left arm and leg were noted.  When asked, Short stated that these marks were from Friday (July 27) when she left Harley in the care of her boyfriend, Thompson, while she was at work in Kissimmee. She further stated that Harley has suffered multiple injuries during the past two months, while she was at work and being watched by Thompson. Thompson texted her after the injuries occurred, stating such things as he was disciplining the child by hitting him with a belt. Detectives reviewed the text messages, including responses by Short such as “omg what did u do to my baby?” The various injuries included facial bruising, an injury to the boy’s penis, and a through and through wound on his bottom lip.

One text in June from Thompson said, “um ya son tryna kill hisself” referring to injuries the child incurred. Thompson explained the injuries as occurring when the child climbed on things and “fell” or pulled things down onto himself, such as a hot plate.

On July 23rd, Short called 9-1-1 and had the child transported to Heart of Florida Hospital because he had not opened his eyes for two days. She then expressed to Thompson via text message, “I think they calling CPS on me I think they bout to try to take Harley.”

On July 27th, Thompson sent her a text with a photo while she was at work, of the child’s face, saying that the boy scratched himself. When she got home and looked for herself, she said it didn’t look like scratches – it looked like welt marks that would happen if he had been hit in the face with a belt.

On July 28th and 29th, Short said the child was not acting like himself, and clinging to her. She said he did not have a fever and was not vomiting.

On July 30th, Short woke up around 11:00 a.m. and gave the child some juice, then laid down with him until around 4:15 p.m., at which time she got a ride from Lyft to Amscot to cash a check, leaving the victim with Thompson. She then went to Publix to buy groceries, and texted a friend to ask if the friend had any weed for sale.

When she got home, she found Harley lying on the floor, with vomit nearby and vomit on the bed. She put him on the bed then went outside to smoke a cigarette. She decided not to seek medical attention because she was afraid DCF would be called. Around  6:15 p.m. she gave Harley some ibuprofen and antibiotics, and left him with Thompson to go purchase and smoke marijuana at a friend’s house.

Around 9:30 p.m., Short returned home, and found the victim moaning as if in pain, holding his stomach, and kicking his legs. He was dry heaving. She attempted to give him a bath but was concerned his face would go underwater, since he kept doubling over in pain. She gave him more ibuprofen and antibiotics, then laid him down in the bedroom so she and Thompson could go in the living room to smoke marijuana.

At 3:00 a.m. on July 31st, Harley’s eyes rolled back into his head, and he became limp and unresponsive. Short then called 9-1-1.

During an autopsy, Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Nelson noted numerous bruises on Harley’s face and forehead, consistent with being struck by a belt. There was a scar below his bottom lip, and scratches on his nose and forehead. His bowel was lacerated, causing an infection called peritonitis, and several areas of hemorrhage in his skull and within his brain. The bowel laceration and cerebral hemorrhage were the result of blunt force trauma.

Dr. Nelson stated the peritonitis was consistent with an injury occurring two or three days prior to the July 30th symptoms being present, and that Harley would have survived if medical treatment had been sought on July 30th.

Harley’s cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma, and the manner of death homicide.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE AFFIDAVIT:

Based on the evidence, Christian Thompson engaged in malicious punishment of this child for some time. In doing so, Christian Thompson demonstrated a course of conduct showing reckless disregard of human life that a reasonable person would have or should have known would likely cause death or great bodily injury.

Furthermore, based on the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, and as a result of the continuing pattern of knowing and willful abuse, it is believed Christian Thompson committed an aggravated battery causing the laceration to the child’s bowel, (i.e. great bodily harm), which ultimately led to the child’s death. A person who commits aggravated child abuse which results in the child’s death commits First Degree Felony Murder.

Shannon Short actively encouraged Christian Thompson to commit an act that would or could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to the victim. This is evidenced by her admission to texting Christian Thompson telling him to “fuck him up” followed by an angry emoji referring to the victim.

Christian Thompson and Shannon Short failed to provide the victim with medical care to maintain the child’s physical health. Furthermore, Shannon Short failed to protect the victim from the abuse committed by Christian Thompson. The failure to provide medical care and to protect the victim from abuse ultimately resulted in the victim’s death.

Shannon Short, who is over the age of the 18 and resides in the same residence with the victim and Christian Thompson, knowingly and willfully failed to report the suspected aggravated child abuse she believed to be occurring to the victim by Christian Thompson.

Shannon Short encouraged the abuse, failed to report the abuse, and failed to protect the victim from the abuse. In doing so, Shannon Short demonstrated a course of conduct showing reckless disregard of human life, or for the safety of persons exposed to its dangerous effects, that a reasonable person would have or should have known

would likely cause death or great bodily injury. Shannon Short subjected the victim to continuous abuse which ultimately resulted in the victim’s death.

Christian Thompson and Shannon Short are not from Florida and have lived in this state less than a year. They do not have family or friends in Florida. Additionally, they both have family and other children living in Texas and California.

Possible Sinkhole In Lakeland Closing Road

Staff Reporter
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Possible Sinkhole In Lakeland Closing Road

Lakeland, Florida – The Polk County Sheriffs Office was dispatched around 6pm tonight to the area of Combee Rd. & Jungle St. in Lakeland. According to initial reports a possible sinkhole opened up in the roadway.

Scott Wilder, Public Information Officer. with the Polk County Sheriffs Office has confirmed that hole of some kind has opened in the roadway. They currently have the roadway completely closed. County road maintenance was enroute to the scene. Initially the hole looks to be the size of a basketball, but inside the hole looks to be bigger. Remember it is in the middle of the roadway under tar.

We will update as soon as more information is available.

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