Florida

DUNEDIN, FL – Deputies with the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a crash involving a vehicle and an electric bicycle that left one man with life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred on October 21, 2025, at approximately 3:55 p.m. at the intersection of Wilson Street and the Pinellas Trail. According to investigators, 30-year-old Raymond Schemkes was driving a 2019 Ford F-250 eastbound on Wilson Street and came to a complete stop at the stop sign before proceeding into the intersection. At the same time, 67-year-old Jeffrey Slocum was riding his electric bicycle southbound on the Pinellas Trail and reportedly failed to stop at the posted sign before colliding with the truck. Slocum, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained life-threatening injuri...

WALTON COUNTY, FL – A woman from Santa Rosa Beach has been arrested and charged with child neglect after allegedly leaving her 5-year-old son home alone while she went to Target. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded late October 16 to a residence on N Gulf Drive following a report of a young child found alone in the roadway. Deputies arrived and spoke with the caller, who believed the child lived nearby with his mother. Deputies located the child’s home and determined that the mother, 37-year-old Maureen Oneill, had left the residence without supervision for several hours. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach her, deputies learned Oneill had texted a neighbor stating she was okay and returning from Target in Panama City Beach. Oneill later admitted she had lef...

PANAMA CITY, FL – A 21-year-old woman has been arrested on charges of aggravated child neglect and child neglect after authorities found her one-month-old twin sons suffering from severe malnutrition. According to Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, deputies responded to a medical emergency at a residence on Blueberry Road in the early hours of September 30, 2025. Upon arrival, they encountered Hailey Nicole Smith holding her unresponsive infant in the front yard. Deputies began administering medical aid until Bay County Fire Rescue arrived and transported the child to a local hospital. An investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division revealed that both twins were severely malnourished. After initial treatment at a local hospital, the children were ...

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 30-year-old teacher following an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. According to the Sheriff’s Office, detectives determined that the relationship between Mikayla Rich and the victim lasted approximately three years, beginning when Rich was 27 and the victim was 16. Investigators gathered evidence and conducted interviews that corroborated the allegations, establishing probable cause for her arrest. Rich was taken into custody on October 15, 2025, and booked into the Leon County Detention Facility on one count of Offenses Against Students by Authority Figures, a second-degree felony. At the time of the alleged misconduct, Rich was employed at Acts Christian Academy. She was most recently empl...

LEE COUNTY, FL – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday that it has partnered with the Florida Gaming Commission to shut down three illegal arcades operating in the area. An active investigation is underway at the following locations: Miscue Lounge, 2011 Carrell Rd, Fort Myers Vegas Knights, 13971 N Cleveland Ave, Unit 14, North Fort Myers Royal Arcade, 4901 Palm Beach Blvd, Unit 320, Fort Myers Authorities stated that additional updates, including forfeiture totals, will be released Thursday morning.

LIBERTY COUNTY, FL – School superintendents and districts across Florida received a mass email threat this evening claiming that a bomb had been planted in a school and demanding ransom payment in cryptocurrency. The message did not identify any specific school or county. According to Liberty County Superintendent of Schools Kyle Peddie, the threat is not currently believed to be credible, but local and state officials are taking all necessary precautions. The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the Cyber Terrorism Task Force have been notified and are investigating the origin of the email. Out of an abundance of caution, Sheriff Buddy Money Arnold, along with Liberty County deputies and school district staff, conducted sweeps...

BAY COUNTY, FL – Sheriff Tommy Ford announced the arrest of a 14-year-old boy at Arnold High School on Thursday. He was charged with two third-degree felonies. According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the victim reported that the 14-year-old began grabbing her during class. Despite attempts to get away, the victim said she was forced into a supply closet, where the 14-year-old shut the door and refused to let her out. The victim managed to escape and reported the incident to school officials. The 14-year-old was arrested and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice.