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 Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. 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.

Dec 7, 2018

Dundee woman arrested for inciting a fight between two juveniles

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 36-year-old Giselle Reyes Felix on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 for her instigating a fight between two juveniles on November 29, 2018.

Reyes Felix, of Dundee, was charged with Child Abuse (F3) and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (M1), and taken to the Polk County Jail.

"Our adult suspect was supposed to be responsible for the 16-year-old girl. Instead, she not only drove the girl to the victim, but she also incited and encouraged a fight, and coached the girl on how to hit the victim. This was totally irresponsible." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

According to the affidavit, Reyes Felix drove a 16-year-old girl to the area of where a 17-year-old girl (Kissimmee/Polk area) lived, because of problems between the two juveniles.

The 17-year-old victim was walking home from school when she heard a car horn and saw a car quickly approaching her. The 16-year-old suspect yelled at the victim and then attacked her.

While the two girls were fighting, Reyes Felix was coaching the suspect on what to do. When the victim fell on her back, the 16-year-old stomped on her head multiple times with her feet. A Good Samaritan was able to stop the fight temporarily, but Reyes Felix encouraged the 16-year-old to again attack the other girl.

Neither of the juveniles suffered serious injury from the fight.

The 16-year-old suspect was also arrested and charged with Battery (M1). The identities of the two girls are not being released.