News and Investigations

A teacher from Lake Shipp Elementary School in Winter Haven was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, after an investigation determined she falsely reported that another teacher had intentionally bumped her at the school.

45-year old Juanita McCoy originally contacted the Sheriff’s Office on October 19th to report that she was “shoulder-checked” by Latonya Miller, another teacher at the school, and a former friend of McCoy’s.

During the investigation, McCoy stopped cooperating with deputies and declined to provide any more information. 

While interviewing Ms. Miller, she denied making contact with McCoy. Miller said that the two women were walking toward each other on a walkway when McCoy partially blocked the path, forcing Miller to walk around. 

Security video of the incident was reviewed by deputies and it corroborated Ms. Miller’s account of the incident showing that no contact was made as the women passed.

“The people who work in our schools are entrusted with the care of our children. Not only do they provide education, but they’re also role models who have an impact on their students’ ethics and behavior. Accusing an innocent person of a crime is a serious matter, and a waste of law enforcement resources.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Ms. Miller informed the deputy that this was actually the second time such an incident has occurred. 

According to Miller, McCoy made accusations to the PCSO that Miller had intentionally bumped her at the school in February of 2020. That investigation was closed with no charges filed after both women signed waivers of prosecution.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Juanita McCoy was arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center where she was charged with False Report of a Crime to Law Enforcement (M1). 

Any questions regarding Ms. McCoy’s employment history and status with the school should be directed to the Polk County Public Schools.