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 Meghan Petty. 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 13, 2021

Substitute English teacher arrested by PCSO for sexual battery on Lakeland High School student

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A 20-year old substitute English teacher at Lakeland High School was arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit on Friday, December 10, 2021 after it was learned she had sexually battered a student (16-years or younger).

Ayanna Davis of Lakeland admitted to detectives that she had unprotected sex with the student on four occasions, twice at his house, and twice at her house. Her admission aligned with what the victim told detectives.

“This is a clear violation of sexual battery laws. She was in a position of influence over the victim, and she took advantage of that for her own twisted pleasure.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

The investigation began on Friday, December 3rd after an LHS student informed Lakeland Police Department School Resource officers about the existence of a video on Snapchat showing Davis and another student having sex. The student claimed the video was shown to a large group of LHS football players.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office was brought into the investigation after determining that Davis’ residence is outside of city limits in unincorporated Polk County.

Following their interview of Davis, PCSO detectives arrested her on charges of Sexual Battery by Custodian (2-counts, F1), and Offenses against Students by Authority Figure (F2). Davis was also served with the Lakeland PD warrant which charged her with an additional two counts of Sexual Battery.

Davis had first appearance on Saturday, December 11th where $60,000 in bonds were ordered against her for all five charges, and an arraignment hearing of January 10, 2022 was scheduled.

Ayanna Davis is not a Polk County Public Schools employee. She was working at Lakeland High as a substitute teacher with the staffing company Kelly Education Services. The company has been instructed that Davis is no longer able to work in any PCPS school site.

“We expect substitute teachers to uphold the same high standards of conduct and professionalism as our full-time educators,” said Superintendent Frederick Heid. “The charges against this person are disgraceful and a complete violation of the trust that teachers build with their students. There is no room in our schools for this type of conduct.”