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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 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.

Mar 29, 2016

PCSO Deputies Arrest Lakeland Woman for Child Neglect, Other Charges

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Monday, March 28, 2016, PCSO Special Victims detectives arrested 48-year-old Leslie Wulff of Lakeland and charged her with one count Negligent Child Abuse, one count Possession of Methamphetamine, and one count Possession of Paraphernalia, after a 2-year-old toddler she was supposed to be taking care of was found wandering the neighborhood. 

According to the affidavit, a witness contacted PCSO around 4:00 p.m. that afternoon when she saw the baby, wearing only a soiled diaper, walking in the roadway outside her home. Due to his young age, the victim could not advise where he lived. It is estimated the toddler was wandering alone for approximately one hour before deputies were able to ascertain the house from which he came. That residence was occupied by Wulff, who came to the open door after multiple announcements by deputies. When she came to the door, she had slurred speech and was slightly incoherent. She told deputies that a friend of hers came over the night before and together they smoked Meth and drank wine. She said she didn't sleep at all throughout the evening, but laid down for a nap with the baby around 3:00 p.m. that afternoon. She was unaware the baby left the residence, as she was still asleep until being awakened by the deputies at the front door. The child is not hers, but was left in her care.  

Deputies found Meth and a clear pipe with Meth residue in the home, and charged her accordingly.