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News and Investigations
News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Mar 12, 2026
One child killed and another critically injured from a hit & run crash near Winter Haven Wednesday night
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are trying to find the driver responsible for hitting two young children outside of their church Wednesday night, March 11, 2026.
An 8-year old child died from his injuries, the other child who is 10-years old, has been hospitalized with a broken leg, broken arm, and a skull fracture… he is in critical condition. The children, who are not siblings, were there for a church function.
PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 8:25 pm to Faith Baptist Church at 2140 Crystal Beach Road in Winter Haven, just off of Winter Lake Road (CR 540).
According to Traffic Homicide detectives’ preliminary investigation, the two children were on the west side of Crystal Beach Road about to cross the street.
After a truck passed, the children began to make their way across the street toward the church, but they were both hit by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle, continued to the intersection with Winter Lake Road, and turned in an unknown direction. Witnesses did not get a good description of the vehicle.
“Our detectives and crime analysts have been working all night using every available resource to identify the vehicle, and ultimately the driver who chose to flee rather than help those two children. We are praying for the families and friends of the children, and for the child who is in hospital bed fighting for his life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Anyone who has any information about this hit and run is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. If you have information and want to remain anonymous, you can reach out to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 888-400-TIPS.
An 8-year old child died from his injuries, the other child who is 10-years old, has been hospitalized with a broken leg, broken arm, and a skull fracture… he is in critical condition. The children, who are not siblings, were there for a church function.
PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 8:25 pm to Faith Baptist Church at 2140 Crystal Beach Road in Winter Haven, just off of Winter Lake Road (CR 540).
According to Traffic Homicide detectives’ preliminary investigation, the two children were on the west side of Crystal Beach Road about to cross the street.
After a truck passed, the children began to make their way across the street toward the church, but they were both hit by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle, continued to the intersection with Winter Lake Road, and turned in an unknown direction. Witnesses did not get a good description of the vehicle.
“Our detectives and crime analysts have been working all night using every available resource to identify the vehicle, and ultimately the driver who chose to flee rather than help those two children. We are praying for the families and friends of the children, and for the child who is in hospital bed fighting for his life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Anyone who has any information about this hit and run is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. If you have information and want to remain anonymous, you can reach out to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 888-400-TIPS.