Lake Wales, FL – A woman identified as Madisyn Margaret Griffin of Avon Park was arrested by the Lake Wales Police Department on May 16, 2025, following a traffic stop in which she was allegedly driving 88 mph in a 50 mph zone with a young child in the vehicle.
According to arrest affidavits filed with the Polk County Clerk of Court, Griffin was stopped near the intersection of Highway 27 and Washington Avenue at approximately 11:32 p.m. Officers alleged that a strong odor of alcohol was coming from her person and that she exhibited signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and unsteady movements. Griffin allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol and taking a muscle relaxer earlier in the day.
Police also reported observing a small child, approximately 4 years old, seated in the rear of the vehicle.
Field sobriety exercises were conducted, during which Griffin allegedly displayed multiple indicators of impairment, including sustained nystagmus and difficulty with balance and coordination. According to police, she had difficulty maintaining heel-to-toe steps and counted inconsistently during the tests.
Griffin was taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Jail without incident. At the processing center, she allegedly provided two breath samples on an Intoxilyzer 8000, which registered blood alcohol concentrations of 0.101 and 0.102 — both over Florida’s legal limit of 0.08 BAC. Under Florida Statute 316.193(4), DUI charges can be enhanced if a minor is present in the vehicle.
Griffin, who is listed as a substitute teacher for the Highlands County School Board, was charged with DUI with a person under 18 in the vehicle, a first-degree misdemeanor.
