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.

Aug 22, 2023

Missing 3-year-old with Autism located safe and sound

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION:

On August 22, 2023, at around 2:55 a.m. the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit began searching for 3-year-old Thomas Owen Santos who was reported missing in the Acorn Court area of unincorporated Davenport.

Thomas’ family was visiting from out of town. Family members last heard and checked on Thomas at around 1:00 a.m. A family member noticed the front door of the residence wide open at approximately 2:45 a.m., and the child was not found to be in the home. The family called the Sheriff’s Office to report the child missing.

The PCSO Aviation Unit, Drone Unit, Marine Unit, and K-9 Unit (with a bloodhound) also responded and assisted in the search.

Thankfully, at around 7:20 a.m., detectives located Thomas, who was safe and sleeping on a neighbor’s porch less than a half-mile from where the family was staying.

Thomas was returned safely to his family.

***UPDATE TO MISSING CHILD IN POLK COUNTY***

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is happy to announce that 3-year old Thomas Owen Santos has been found safely.

ORIGINALLY RELEASED:

Date: Tue Aug 22, 2023 06:18:08
From: Polk County Sheriff's Office

***MISSING JUVENILE ALERT***

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is issuing a MISSING JUVENILE ALERT this morning (August 22, 2023) for 3-year-old Thomas Owen Santos of Davenport.

Thomas wandered away from his home and was last seen around 1:00 a.m. this morning in the area of Acorn Court in Davenport.

Thomas is 3' tall, 44 lbs., with brown eyes and brown hair. He is believed to be wearing blue Baby Shark pajamas.

Thomas is diagnosed with Autism.

A photo of Thomas is in the link below. If you see Thomas Owen Santos please contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-298-6200.