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Pennsylvania Woman Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash Near Winter Haven

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Pennsylvania Woman Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash Near Winter Haven

Pennsylvania Woman Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash Near Winter Haven

A two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon, November 7, 2018, at the intersection of Winter Lake Road (CR 540) and Thornhill Road near Winter Haven, claimed the life of one person, and injured two others. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash, which occurred at around 1:13 P.M.

90-year-old Jacqueline Rizio of 226 Lewis Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center, but died a short time later.

Injured in the crash were 91-year-old Pasquale Rizio, who is listed in critical but stable condition at Lakeland Regional Health Center, and 19-year-old Chance Shinabarker, of 7715 Chase Rd in Lakeland, who was treated at the scene for minor lacerations.

According to the preliminary investigation, Mr. Rizio was driving a gold 2017 Ford Escape, attempting to turn left (north) from the turn lane on Winter Lake Road, onto Thornhill Road. Ms. Rizio was his front seat passenger.

Shinabarker was driving a white 2010 Chevrolet 2500 Truck with an attached trailer, westbound on Winter Lake Road.

Rizio’s turn violated Shinabarker’s right-of-way, and the two vehicles collided.

All three of the people involved were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The accident remains under investigation.

This update sponsored by Chiroworks

 

Lakeland Police Looking for Information in a Hit & Run Crash

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Lakeland Police Looking for Information in a Hit & Run Crash

Lakeland PD Release:

LAKELAND, FL – On November 7, 2018 at 8:45 P.M. the Lakeland Police Department responded to an accident on Kathleen Road at 10th Street. A 2009 Suzuki motorcycle was northbound on Kathleen Road approaching the intersection of West 10th Street. As the motorcycle was traveling through the intersection, an unknown vehicle traveling southbound on Kathleen Road turned east onto 10th Street. The motorcycle collided with the rear of a vehicle throwing the driver of the motorcycle off.

The other vehicle involved in the collision did not stop and continued traveling eastbound on West 10th Street. Based on witness statements the vehicle was Burgundy or red in color. Based on vehicle evidence left at the scene, the vehicle is possibly an unknown year/model Kia. The vehicle sustained extremely noticeable damage to the rear and it missing the rear tail lights.

The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on scene and began to provide life-saving measures. The operator of the motorcycle was transported to the Lakeland Regional Health Center with serious life threatening injuries and is in extremely critical condition. The next-of-kin has been notified.

Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. This case is still open and under investigation and anyone with information should call Traffic Homicide Investigator Officer Tyler Anderson at 863-834-2553.

The roadway was shut down for approximately 4.5 hours during the investigation. The operator of the Suzuki motorcycle was identified as:

Miguel Angel Gonzalez Gonzalez, 38 years old.

2325 Onley Road

Lakeland, Florida 33801

 

Three Florida Corrections Officers Arrested For Smuggling Cash Into the Avon Park Correctional Institution

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Three Florida Corrections Officers Arrested For Smuggling Cash Into the Avon Park Correctional Institution

PCSO Release:

In September of 2018, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General initiated a joint investigation regarding possible smuggling of contraband into the Avon Park Correctional Institution located at 8100 Highway 64 East, Avon Park. The Inspector General’s Office had developed information that a corrections officer, or officers, may have been involved in bringing in contraband into the facility.

On September 13, 2018, Officer Jules Loya, 33, met a PCSO undercover detective in Frostproof, whom Loya believed was an Avon Park Correctional Intuition prison inmate’s relative. The detective provided Loya with two (2) packs of 305 cigarettes, two (2) cell phone SIM cards, and $400 in cash. The agreement was for Loya to bring these items into the prison later on that afternoon when he went into work at the prison. Further, the agreement was that Loya would keep $250 of the $400 given to him in exchange for him bringing in the remainder of the money, SIM cards, and cigarettes.  When Loya entered the main unit of the Avon Park Prison later that day with the illegal contraband (currency, SIM cards, and cigarettes) on his person, he was told by supervision he was assigned to work in the work camp that day, which is a separate building on the compound. As Loya entered the work camp, the metal detector went off. Loya told staff he forgot he had something on him and he had to bring it out to his vehicle. Loya left the entrance and threw the items in a nearby trashcan outside the building, but kept the cash. Loya is charged with one count of introduction of currency to an inmate (F3) and one count of unauthorized compensation (M1). Loya was arrested in 2016 for knowingly driving with a license suspended or revoked.

On 09/27/2018, a PCSO undercover detective posed as an inmate’s relative and contacted 23-year-old corrections officer Nathan Lucy about bringing in money into the prison. Lucy agreed to meet up with the detective the following day in Lake Wales. During this meeting, the detective gave Lucy $200 in cash. The agreement was for Lucy to keep $100 and bring the remaining $100 to the inmate inside the prison.

On 09/28/2018, Lucy entered the Avon Park Work Camp with the money given to him by the undercover detective and gave it to the inmate. Detectives later identified currency turned over to the inmate through a matching serial number.

On 10/04/2018, the undercover detective contacted Lucy again about bringing in more money into the prison to give to the inmate. Later that day, Lucy met up with the detective in Eagle Lake wearing his DOC uniform. Lucy took $160 in cash and was told he could keep $100 for himself for bringing in the money to the inmate. Lucy gave the inmate the money later that day. Currency from the delivery was later confiscated by DOC personnel.

Lucy is charged with two counts of introduction of currency to an inmate (F3) one count of unauthorized compensation (M1) and one count prison employee receiving unauthorized compensation (M1).

On 10/08/2018, a PCSO undercover detective met with 25-year-old corrections officer Victor Medina at the Avon Park Walmart near the customer service center inside the store. During this meeting, the undercover detective provided Medina with $600. The agreement was for Victor Medina to keep $300 and to bring the remaining $300 into the prison and give it to the inmate.

On 10/09/2018, Medina handed the inmate within the Avon Park Prison the remaining $300 in cash. Victor Medina kept $300 for himself in exchange for bringing money into the prison. Later that day detectives were able to confirm the transaction through the serial numbers on the currency that the inmate had in his possession. Medina is now charged with one count introduction of currency to an inmate (F3) and one count unauthorized compensation (M1). Click here https://youtu.be/yQiEm-eCiz0  to see video of Medina meeting with an undercover detective. The flowers he is carrying are unrelated to this investigation.

“The Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General did an outstanding job working with us in this investigation. It is our intent these officers are held accountable for their illegal conduct.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Medina has posted $1500 dollars bond. Loya is still in custody and being held on $2500 bond and Lucy is in custody with a $3,000 bond.

 Per F.S.S. 119, the home addresses of state corrections officers are exempt from disclosure. All three officers were arrested on November 7, 2018 and booked into the Polk County Jail.

 

 

Lake Ashton Arts & Craft Fair Helps Ushers In Holiday Season

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Lake Ashton Arts & Craft Fair Helps Ushers In Holiday Season

Lake Ashton Arts & Craft Fair Helps Ushers In Holiday Season

by James Coulter

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go, as the classic song goes.

While Halloween recently ended, and Thanksgiving is still only weeks away, that didn’t stop Lake Ashton from celebrating the arrival of Christmas with their first annual arts and crafts fair.

The Lake Ashton Clubhouse appeared to be decorated like a toy store on Christmas with hundreds of Christmas ornaments, decorations, stockings, wreaths, and other holiday items on display, all of which were handcrafted by local residents.

Several dozen booths were set up within the main ballroom, where residents of the country club, as well as people from the surrounding area, could showcase their merchandise of handmade arts and crafts.

One such local artist, Judy Gard from Lakeland, displayed her makeshift artwork created from repurposed material she often finds lying around her own home.

Whether its message boards made from wine corks or picture frames adorned with Scrabble word tiles, Gard loves being able to get creative with whatever material she can get her hands on.

“You will see the things that have been uniquely and originally made,” she said. “So you cannot find it anywhere else. It is personalized, so that is what inspires me to do art.”

Aside from that, she also displayed and sold several pastel paintings that she created using old photographs from other people as inspiration.

She was contacted to participate within the inaugural arts and crafts fair at Lake Ashton, considering it a ripe opportunity to share her craft and sell her wares.

“It is a nicely done event,” she said. “I considered this a great opportunity to expand and present my things to other people.”

Aside from local artists within the area, the craft fair also showcased the work of many residents within the country club, including those within the Lake Ashton Woodworkers.

Fred Powell is one of the 100 members of the private woodworking club who often participates with them in various projects for the community.

That afternoon, he showcased many of the woodwork items that he had worked on including stools and checkerboards. He loves being able to work on such things with his own hands.

“It gives me something to do, allows me to meet people, and helps raise money for the shop,” he said.

The arts and crafts fair was started as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay For Life, an annual event that raises money for cancer research and awareness.

“We are raising money for the ACS so we can share more birthdays for our loved ones,” explained Rosemary Stoner, Relay for Life Chair. “I enjoy the activity that we have here, the positive feedback, and the money we are raising for the ACS for research.”

The L.A. Purple Stars, the team for the local Relay for Life, participated that day offering a silent auction on several different items and services, as well as a Christmas tree adorned with more than $1,400 worth of gift cards, she said.

Her team also helped feed many of the guests with a bake sale selling homemade goods and a food counter serving hot dogs, chips, and drinks.

So much had the inaugural event managed to exceed expectations that next year’s date has already been set, Stoner said.

“We have had nothing but positive feedback, and people have been wanting to do it again,” she said.

Winter Haven Woman Faces Two Counts of Grand Theft After Using Craigslist To Rent Out Property She Doesn’t Own

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Winter Haven Woman Faces Two Counts of Grand Theft After Using Craigslist To Rent Out Property She Doesn’t Own

A Winter Haven woman faces two counts of Grand Theft after using Craigslist for rental property that she doesn’t own.

On 11/6/18, 36 year-old Nikeila Lashandra Wilson (DOB 11-10-81, 2661 Whispering Trails Dr., Winter Haven) was taken into custody after it was uncovered that she took money from two unsuspecting people who found rental homes listed on Craigslist. She was released on $1,000 bond.

In October 2017, the first victim, who resides in New York, found a rental home in Siesta Key, FL on a legitimate rental site, VRBO.com. The victim also found the exact same home on Craigslist at a cheaper price. The victim contacted the “owner” through the Craigslist email and was sent a rental agreement with instructions to send a payment of $3,500 to Nikeila Wilson at 2661 Whispering Trails in Winter Haven.  The victim mailed a check to Wilson and the check was cashed. Between November 2017 and June 2018, the victim attempted numerous times to contact the “owner”, but never received a response and became very suspicious.

The victim then contacted VRBO.com directly and learned that the property was still available for rent. Local law enforcement was contacted and ultimately authorities in Winter Haven were alerted since the money was sent to a Winter Haven address.
The next victim, from Canada, found a rental property in Naples, FL listed for rent on Craigslist. The victim contacted who was believed to be the owner and was instructed to send a money order of $1,675 to Nikeila Wilson at the same Whispering Trails address. The victim wanted to extend the time of the rental for five days and was instructed to wire an additional $300 to Wilson’s bank account.

On January 28, 2018, the victim arrived at the Naples rental property to find someone already renting the home. It was then that local authorities were contacted and a report was filed in Winter Haven.

When detectives were informed of the second case with the same Whispering Trails address, a visit to the home was in order. When approached by investigators, Wilson advised that she opened a Chase Bank account when she received the money order from the Canadian victim. She then saw that $300 was transferred into her account.

Wilson claimed that her boyfriend had instructed her to open the Chase Bank account since he was out of the country on an engineering contract and had no way to deposit checks. Wilson claims that she believed the money was coming from her boyfriend.

When asked about the $3,500 check from the victim out of New York that was cashed in her name, she again claimed that she thought the check came from her boyfriend. She asserted that she didn’t notice the “rental property” notation on the check.

“Rental scams continue to be used through these elaborate schemes with unsuspecting and trusting victims losing thousands of dollars,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “Any potential transaction that is conducted over the internet should be completely explored prior to any money changing hands.”

On 11-6-18, Wilson was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with two counts of Grand Theft (F-3).

Victory Ridge Academy Receives Grant from Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation

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Victory Ridge Academy Receives Grant from Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation

Victory Ridge Academy Receives Grant from Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation

    

Lake Wales, Florida – On October 23, 2018, Victory Ridge Academy was awarded funding from the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation. All funding received from the Foundation will go toward VRA’s School Wide Behavior Management System, which utilizes a positive approach and aids in providing clear expectations and consistent consequences that help students to become more productive in their learning environment.

Victory Ridge Academy recognizes the importance of establishing the social culture and behavioral supports needed for all children to achieve both social and academic success. Through this program our mission is to provide a high level of quality student behavioral support so that educators will be able to maintain effective classroom environments with minimal distractions.

Both staff and students at Victory Ridge Academy would like to thank the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation for their generous donation and continued support over the years.

Victory Ridge Academy is a Title 1, 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charter school that exclusively serves children and adolescents with special needs. Victory Ridge Academy is based on the belief of the administration, staff and Board of Trustees that early intervention is crucial to helping children and young adults with special needs to cultivate healthy lifestyles and grow into well-adjusted persons. It is the school’s belief that students need a safe, positive and nurturing learning environment to develop communication skills, social skills, academic and technical skills in order to build their self-confidence and become productive members of society.

For more information about Victory Ridge Academy, please visit the Academy’s website at www.victoryridge.org

First Frostproof Fall Street Dance Draws Hundreds

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First Frostproof Fall Street Dance Draws Hundreds

First Frostproof Fall Street Dance Draws Hundreds

by James Coulter

More than one hundred Frostproof residents strapped on their dancing shoes and danced the night away during the inaugural on Frostproof Fall Street Dance on Saturday evening.

Local residents and out-of-town visitors had the chance to enjoy a boot-scooting boogie out within the crisp fall air and underneath the ornate hanging street lights along East Wall Street.

While the event started around sunset at 6 p.m., the real festivities were kicked into high gear by 8 p.m. with live music performed by Cory Greenway and the Outta Hand Band.

When not burning away calories and working up an appetite dancing in the streets, guests could fill up on food served by local vendors and food trucks, including Watcha Got Cookin, Vintage Donuts, Just Ribs, and Cuppa Joe on the Go.

Ron and Sue Campbell, owners of Vintage Donuts, had previously visited the city during past events such as last year’s Christmas parade.

Having been invited to this inaugural street dance, they jumped at the opportunity to visit the quaint small town once again and serve their famous old-fashioned donuts.

When asked what they were anticipating most that evening, Sue replied that they were expecting, “great things and to have fun and bring you all great donuts.”

Jon Collette, owner of Gyros for Heroes, was also contacted to attend the event, and was also anticipating a great crowd willing to enjoy his great food, especially since it supports a great cause.

More than 10 percent of his proceeds go towards the Wounded Warriors Project. As a retired veteran for more than 42 years, he had always wanted to start a business to help his fellow veterans.

Having been in business for several years, the loyalty of his customers have been the key to his overall success.

“I was getting tired of mowing grass, [and] I wanted to do something different,” he said.

This was not the first time that the town of Frostproof danced underneath the night sky lit up with hanging street lights.

Earlier in September, the town celebrated it Centennial Celebration, which concluded with an outdoor street party along East Wall Street in front of the historic Ramon Theater.

Street lights had been strung up over the street for the special occasion, and have remained hanging there ever since.

With the outdoor street party proving especially popular among locals, many residents started asking when another event like that would be hosted, which helped inspire this event as a result, explained Leslie Brewer, a city council member, and one of the event organizers.

“After the Centennial, and the turnout from that, we wanted to utilize the lights and keep it going, to keep the spirit alive,” she said. “The people enjoyed the street dance, they were asking when they wanted to have it again.”

Within the very first hour of the evening, more than one hundred guests flocked the street to either dance or lounge about along the sidewalk and enjoy the music.

“It is a great turnout,” Brewer said. “We have a lot of people here early on even with the wind. It is going just as expected.”

Austin Gravely, a city council member and the main organizer for the event, loved the sense of community that evening, and felt it was a great opportunity to help give back and provide something entertaining for the city residents.

 

While he more than believes that improvements can be made for future events, with expectations of potentially making such an event a quarterly one, he felt that the event that evening was great enough as it was.

“It seems to be pretty picture perfect,” he said. “Can’t really get much better than this.”

Small, Diversified Farming Operation in Polk County

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Small, Diversified Farming Operation in Polk County

Small, Diversified Farming Operation in Polk County

By Allison Williams

Photos provided by Daniel Weisgarber

Sustainability is a huge part of Daniel Weisgarber’s life. Weisgarber is the Director of Operations for Radiant Farms, a local farm in Southeastern Polk County close to Frostproof. Growing up in Florida, Weisgarber has always had a love for the outdoors and paid close attention to environmental issues.

“For several years before starting the farm I had much interest in the sustainable agriculture movement,” Weisgarber said. “I started a garden at my house and read everything that I could get my hands on pertaining to organic farming and sustainable lifestyles. Finally in 2014 after a bit of research and saving, I found a piece of land and got to work!”

The farm sits on roughly six acres and the Weisgarber uses organic methods to grow.

“We grow vegetables and raise pastured poultry products including heritage breed turkeys, chickens and eggs,” Weisgarber said. “Animals raised on pasture have superior health, as well as superior flavor and nutritional value compared to conventionally raised animals.”

Instead of using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, the farm uses compost as a fertilizer as well as soil amendment.

Weisgarber finds what he does very rewarding.

“I have always loved the outdoors and wanted a rewarding job that allowed me to be creative and work with nature,” Weisgarber said. “Being able to work outdoors, solve problems creatively, and working with animals are all huge pluses.”

It’s an added bonus that he is able to eat what he refers to as the “freshest, healthiest food available.”

Also, who doesn’t love animals?

Radiant Farms offers organic pet treats called Wally’s Chicken Chews. These are dehydrated chicken feet and chicken necks.

“The chicken pieces come from chickens that we have processed on our farm,” Weisgarber said. “The birds were raised here, on pasture so they are high quality.”

These treats are so popular with the community that they struggle to keep them in stock.

“They are sold at our booth at the Farmers Market as well as at The Groom Room Of Dundee,” Weisgarber said. “We are hoping in the future to add other natural pet treats to our selection.”

Since opening, the farm has grown tremendously.

“We are constantly working on new projects and trying new items and methods to see what works the best for us,” Weisgarber said. “We originally started with about 2,500 square feet of planting space our first year, and have more than tripled that by this time. We have also added chickens, heritage breed turkeys and a few pigs.”

Weisgarber continues to work hard and also come up with new ideas to improve his farm. Hopes for the future include adding a hydroponic garden and aquaponics system.

“I feel that our strong commitment to quality, and our principals will help us to be successful in the future,” he said.

Show your support of the local community by visiting the farm at 8934 Rhoden Loop Road S in Fort Meade or stopping by the Lake Wales Downtown Farmers Market. This market takes place the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

To contact Radiant Farms:

Weisgarber is very open about the practices his farm uses to grow.

“I believe that folks should have a connection to the food that they eat, or at least the ability to actually see where and how it is produced,” he said. “We have an open door policy here and do not charge for tours. If you would like to come see the farm please do! Just contact us to arrange a time and we will be more than happy to show you around and answer any questions that you may have.”

Little New Orleans & Oysters Bar Winter Haven

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Little New Orleans & Oysters Bar Winter Haven

Little New Orleans & Oysters Bar Winter Haven

by James Coulter

If you’re looking for good old-fashioned Cajun cooking, you have two choices: either drive more than 600 miles to New Orleans, or drive only a few miles to Winter Haven’s newest restaurant.

Little New Orleans & Oysters Bar is the place to visit for anyone looking to have the “good times roll” with a little “south in their mouth”, as their mouths are sure to water over the diverse selection of seafood.

Whether you prefer crabs, crawfish, shrimp, or oysters, you’ll be sure to get an extra kick from your seafood, with most everything cooked and prepared Louisiana-style with Creole seasoning.

Eat a bowl of shrimp or crawfish the way the Cajuns love it by ripping off the heads and sucking out the succulent juices, enhanced and marinated with spices and seasoning.

Celebrate Mardi Gras anytime on your plate with good old-fashioned New Orleans dishes ranging from gumbo, jambalaya, or po-boy sandwiches.

Not a fan of Louisiana cooking? No problem, son! You can prepare your taste buds up with a simple chicken and rice or some crab legs, corn, and potatoes.

Once you get used to the cooking, you can start working your way up with some authentic meals, whether you’d prefer gumbo or fresh shrimp and oysters.

“People here eat a lot of seafood, but when it comes to the seasoning, we serve the Louisiana New Orleans style, [so] it is totally different,” explained co-owner Johnny Nguyen.

Originally from Vietnam, his family moved to New Orleans in 1979 as refugees following the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

Living in their new home in New Orleans, he and his family learned to appreciate the local food, especially with the Cajun-style cooking with the Creole seasoning.

Later, they moved to Orlando where his family shared this style of cooking by opening a restaurant that served Po Boy sandwiches and other Cajun meals.

They even owned their own fishing boat which they would frequently take out to go harvesting for oysters and shrimp.

Johnny had since opened five resturaunts in Orlando, and with his parents now living in Winter Haven, he wanted to open up a new place in their new hometown.

“The restaurant is my passion,” he said. “I want to cater the Cajun food and fresh oyster bar to the people. I want to see the people enjoy crab legs and the official jambalaya, gumbo, all the fried fish made southern-style.”

Having owned and operated several resturants over in the Orlando area, his style of cooking had already attracted several fans, both locals and even several tourists.

One Yelp reviewer expressed his love for the Orlando eatery and its seafood selection, including the oysters, shrimp, and craw daddies.

“If there’s any place that brings joy to my heart, it is this place,” he wrote. “I enjoy eating good food and getting good friendly service with a smile. I got all of the above here.”

So much he loved the food that he and his partner even plan on sharing their most special moments there.

“My lover and I love it here,” he continued. “We would like to hold our nuptial here. We would love to have our first born here. I hope they do weddings and baby showers.”

Since opening in their new location in Winter Haven, the restaurant has already received rave reviews from locals who are awe-struck by the New Orleans-style food and service.

“We stopped by this new place for lunch today,” One Facebook reviewer wrote. “Friendly folks, good service, and wonderful gumbo and po-boys! We’ll definitely be back.”

Johnny selected their location at the corner of Cypress Grove Plaza in between Just Move Gym and Dollar General, which had previously served as the former location for Island Bar and Grill.

“I think it is a great location,” he said. “It is a good hangout place for the locals. We have the liquor bar and live entertainment to entertain people on the weekend.”

He hopes that business will continue to boom, especially with local families. While the place offers a full liquor bar, he assures that his eatery is a family place where every customer of every age can enjoy Cajun cuisine.

“We really want to bring our art to Winter Haven,” he said. “I think it is a very nice place, a very beautiful place…We have already fallen in love with the people.”

Little New Orleans is located at 5654 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.neworleanswinterhaven.com/, or visit their: https://www.facebook.com/littleneworleanwinterhaven/

Mother Charged with DUI and Five Counts of Child Neglect After Crashing Her Car With Her Small Children Unrestrained

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Mother Charged with DUI and Five Counts of Child Neglect After Crashing Her Car With Her Small Children Unrestrained

A Winter Haven mother is behind bars charged with DUI and five counts of Negligent Child Abuse after she was involved in a traffic crash with her young children in the car – unrestrained.

On 11-4-18 at approximately 6:11 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash at 6th St NW and Ave. L NW in Winter Haven. Twenty-eight year-old Shawana Jones, (DOB 2-14-90) was driving one of three vehicles involved in the crash. She told officers that traffic in front of her suddenly stopped and she couldn’t stop in time.

When officers started interviewing Jones, they noticed the smell of alcohol and performed field sobriety tests, which she failed. When the breathalyzer test was conducted, she blew a .177, more than twice the legal limit of .08.

Officers also inquired why four of the five young children, ranging in age of four months to five years old were unrestrained in the vehicle. She told officers that she was working with a local shelter to obtain child restraint devices; however she had only obtained one. All five children were taken by ambulance to Winter Haven Hospital with minor injuries. Jones was not injured and did not require medical treatment.

When the children were medically cleared, they were all turned over to the Department of Children and Families since no legal guardian could be located at the time. Jones was booked into the Polk County Jail on Driving Under the Influence (M1) and five counts of Negligent Child Abuse (F2). She was also issued six traffic citations to include four for the children not being properly restrained, careless driving and failure to provide proof of registration.

“There is absolutely no excuse for someone, especially a mother, to put the lives of children in danger like Jones did,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “It’s bad enough when someone chooses to drive under the influence, but involving five very small children and not having proper restraints is inexcusable. We are grateful that the children only received minor injuries and nobody else was hurt.”

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