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.

May 26, 2021

Lakeland woman arrested for DUI and child abuse by Polk County deputies

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

On May 25, 2021, PCSO detectives arrested 35-year-old Brittney Medina of Lakeland for DUI and Child Abuse.

At around 11:00 p.m., deputies responded to a vehicle crash that had occurred at the intersection of Clubhouse Road and Live Oak Road in unincorporated south Lakeland. Medina, who was driving a silver 2016 Kia Sorrento westbound on Clubhouse Road where it terminates at Live Oak Road, had driven through Live Oak Road and off the roadway and through a fence before her car came to rest near a tree in a residential backyard. No other vehicles were involved.

Medina sustained no injuries from the crash. A child was also in the vehicle and sustained no injuries. The child abuse without great bodily harm charge stems from the child being placed in immediate danger of injury and/or death by the actions of Ms. Medina.

According to the affidavit, Medina's eyes were bloodshot and watery and she slurred her speech. Medina consented to and failed a standardized field sobriety test.

Medina told deputies she was on her way home from a graduation party and had one glass of wine. She claimed her brakes failed at the intersection. Medina is employed as an attendance counselor at Lakeland Christian School.

"There is no excuse for placing a child in danger. Thankfully, no one was hurt or killed in this crash. Please, call a friend or family member, or use the numerous resources available - just don't drink and drive." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

Medina was arrested for DUI With Property Damage (M1) and Child Abuse Without Great Bodily Harm (F3), and was transported to the Polk County Jail where her blood alcohol level was recorded as 0.118 and 0.129 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. The legal threshold for DUI is 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. She is currently being held without bond.