32-year-old Ashauntie Cox (DOB 2/15/1991) of Orlando, who caused serious bodily harm to two children in her vehicle while fleeing from two crashes and driving under the influence, was arrested in Polk County on Friday, May 19, 2023, and charged with several felonies.
According to witnesses and information developed during the investigation, the first crash occurred around 8:00 p.m. on US Hwy 27 at the intersection with US Hwy 98 near Frostproof. Cox was driving a blue Kia southbound on Hwy 27 when she struck a grey Chevy Silverado pickup truck and then fled at a high rate of speed. As she continued to recklessly speed south down Hwy 27, weaving in and out of slower moving traffic, she rear-ended a 2016 Honda CRV while trying to pass between that SUV and the vehicle next to it which were both also going southbound. The victim driving the CRV was taken to Sebring Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.
The collision caused Cox’s vehicle to flip several times, ejecting two Orlando children, ages 5 and 8 years old. Both sustained significant injuries, and they were taken to Tampa General Hospital where they are both in critical condition. A 27-year-old female passenger was also seriously injured along her spinal cord, hip, and back. She remains at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in stable condition.
When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, they detected the odor of marijuana and located a bottle of tequila in Cox’s vehicle. Cox was transported to the hospital and interview by deputies. Cox told deputies they were driving from Orlando to Avon Park to celebrate the 5-year-old’s kindergarten graduation. She admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day, and to having four shots of tequila. Her blood was drawn for further analysis, and she displayed several signs of impairment.
She was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being charged with:
· Three counts DUI with serious bodily injury (F3)
· Two counts negligent child abuse with great bodily harm (F2)
· Reckless driving (F3)
· One count DUI with property damage (M1)
· One count DUI (M2)
Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
“This woman had no regard for anyone’s life when she got behind the wheel intoxicated and then drove recklessly down a major highway, but what’s worse is the blatant disregard she had for the lives of the innocent children in her car. I expect a successful prosecution to hold her accountable—and let’s hope she loses her driving privileges if she’s released from jail or prison. Please keep these babies and their families in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
What began as unresolved conflicts between young adults in Lake Wales ultimately ended in violence, leaving one young man dead and altering the lives of many others. In the days following the December 2 shooting, little was known beyond the identities of those involved. Court records now provide a clearer account of the events that unfolded that afternoon and the circumstances that investigators say led to the fatal encounter.
According to arrest affidavits filed in Polk County court, Lake Wales Police Department officers and detectives responded at approximately 1:13 p.m. on December 2 to a reported shooting near South Ninth Street and Columbia Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located 20-year-old Jayvyn McFadden suffering from gunshot wounds on the north side of a residence at 633 South Ninth Street. Court records state McFadden was later pronounced deceased at 2:05 p.m. at Lake Wales AdventHealth.
The affidavits describe an ongoing dispute between groups of individuals who were familiar with one another. According to a witness statement included in court records, tensions between the groups had existed prior to December 2, and the witness told investigators there had been “multiple shootings between the two groups over the past few years.” That statement is attributed to a witness and documented in the affidavit.
Court records also reference statements involving a man known by the nickname “Meecho.” According to the affidavits, a witness told investigators that McFadden had been referred to by others as a “snitch,” a label the witness said stemmed from a prior aggravated assault incident in which McFadden was the victim. The affidavits do not state that McFadden cooperated with law enforcement, only that the label was used by others and contributed to hostility surrounding the ongoing dispute.
Statements included in the affidavits indicate McFadden had been with others shortly before the shooting. One account states McFadden handed his child to another person and then walked west on Columbia Avenue. The same account notes that gunshots were heard shortly afterward, followed by the sighting of a blue Chevrolet Cruze traveling north in the area.
Court documents include statements from multiple witnesses who reported seeing a blue Chevrolet Cruze in the neighborhood around the time of the shooting. One witness described the vehicle driving through the area multiple times with its windows down and told investigators he believed the driver was looking for McFadden.
The affidavits also reference an encounter several days earlier involving the same blue Chevrolet Cruze. According to court records, individuals connected to the ongoing dispute stopped near McFadden and others during that incident and displayed a firearm, prompting those present to hide behind trees.
Investigators later determined that 19-year-old Miles Edward Brown was driving the Chevrolet Cruze on December 2. According to court records, Brown arrived at the Lake Wales Police Department while officers were still attempting to locate the suspect vehicle and admitted to shooting McFadden. Brown was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with investigators.
In his initial statement, Brown told detectives he was in the area of South Ninth Street and Columbia Avenue attempting to locate the residence of a friend’s girlfriend. Court records state Brown said he did not know her name or exact address and claimed he did not want to contact his friend for directions because he did not want to appear “stupid.” Brown also stated he typically picks up that friend from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is usually given instructions on where to meet.
Brown told investigators he was driving north on South Ninth Street and pulled over near the intersection of South Ninth Street and Columbia Avenue to change a song on his phone and send a message on Instagram. According to the affidavits, Brown said his vehicle windows were down when McFadden approached from the passenger side and then moved toward the driver’s side holding a hammer.
Court records state Brown told investigators he attempted to reverse but accidentally shifted the vehicle into neutral. Brown then stated he retrieved his black FN 9mm handgun, extended his left arm out of the driver’s side window, and fired approximately “three rounds” at McFadden, who was standing near the driver-side mirror.
After the shooting, Brown fled the area, driving north on South Ninth Street before turning west onto Cohasset Avenue. Brown told investigators he was unsure of his exact route but stated he drove under Highway 60 East via 4th Street.
According to the affidavits, Brown stopped at a traffic light at Polk Avenue East and Scenic Highway South, where he noticed his aunt stopped behind him. Brown told investigators he exited his vehicle and threw the firearm into his aunt’s vehicle in an attempt to distance himself from the weapon. Court records state Brown then observed police vehicles driving past him.
Investigators wrote that this behavior indicated Brown “did not have the intentions to turn himself in or speak with police regarding the incident,” but instead chose to discard evidence following the shooting.
Court records document multiple explanations given by Brown regarding why he was in the area that day. According to the affidavit, detectives later contacted the individual Brown claimed he was supposed to pick up. That individual told investigators Brown was not supposed to pick him up and that no plans had been made for Brown to come to the area. The affidavit states that after investigators confronted Brown with this information, he changed his explanation again, claiming he had gone to the area to fight another individual and had been listening to music to “amp himself up.” Detectives wrote that Brown’s statements continued to change as the investigation progressed.
Investigators wrote that Brown was “consistently untruthful” during the investigation. The affidavits state Brown repeatedly circled the block before stopping nearby, and a witness described his actions as appearing to look for McFadden.
Based on the information outlined in the arrest affidavits, Brown is charged with Second Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. The case remains pending in Polk County court.
As the case moves through the court system, the arrest affidavits offer a clearer picture of how unresolved disputes between young adults escalated into violence on December 2. One young man is now facing the possibility of spending much of his life in prison, while another will never return home to his family. What remains is the lasting impact of decisions made in moments that permanently changed multiple lives.
LAKE WALES — Smiles filled the aisles at the Lake Wales Walmart this past Friday as Lake Wales police officers teamed up with local children for this year’s annual Shop with a Cop event. The heartwarming tradition pairs area law enforcement officers with students to shop for holiday gifts. Turning an ordinary day of shopping into a moment of kindness and connection.
LWPD Shop with a Cop sponsors
With generous support from local businesses and community sponsors, officers helped ensure every participating child had at least one special wish come true this holiday season. The initiative was part of a broader angel tree program coordinated with area schools, which identified students and families who could use a little extra help this time of year.
Dalton Cruze local Business owner and Donor for the event shared that “It’s about building trust, showing our kids they matter, and reminding families that their community cares.”
Many local businesses contributed to the event, providing funds and gift cards that allowed officers and students to fill their shopping carts with toys, clothing, and festive treats. Volunteers from the schools and police department helped manage the logistics, ensuring the day ran smoothly.
For many children, the event was more than just a shopping trip, it was a chance to bond with local officers in a fun and positive way. Parents and officers alike described the morning as “magical,” embodying the true spirit of giving that defines the Lake Wales community.
Emmanuel Figuerora, Dalton Cruze, Jacob Raines, Lynette Schwarze
As the final bags were packed and hugs exchanged, the scene at the register told a story of shared joy. A community coming together to make sure no child went without a reason to smile this Christmas.
Louise Houser Carden was born on February 18, 1921, in Winter Garden, Florida. She peacefully passed away on December 14, 2025, at AdventHealth Lake Wales under the care of Vitas Hospice.
Louise had a long and fulfilling career as a bookkeeper for Bullard Insurance Agency. She was a kind soul who found joy in many simple pleasures. She loved to read and was fond of doing jigsaw puzzles. In her earlier days, she enjoyed gardening and cooking, taking delight in nurturing both plants and family. Although traveling was not her primary passion, she embraced the opportunities to explore new places whenever they arose.
Louise was a proud member of Christ Church on the Move, where she found a community that shared her values and faith.
She is survived by her son, Jack Carden of Lake Wales; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leon Carden; two sons, Mike and David Carden; and her sister, Sarah Johnson.
A memorial service to honor Louise’s life will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Rev. BJ Beamer officiating. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.
The driver of a 2007 gray Toyota Camry was killed Friday afternoon, December 12, 2025, and two passengers were injured.
Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as: Connor Houston Strickland, 21, of Fort Pierce, Florida (deceased); his girlfriend Alexandria Janae McConnell, 26, of Auburndale (stable condition); and the couple’s 2-year old son (stable).
Deputies were dispatched at about 12:55 pm to the crash scene on State Road 60 near Tiger Lake Road, near the Walk-In-Water community, east of Lake Wales.
For reasons not yet determined, the driver (Mr. Strickland) lost control of the westbound vehicle; it rolled and came to a rest in a ditch on the south side of SR 60.
Mr. Strickland and Ms. McConnell were not wearing seat belts, and both were ejected from the car.
The child was secured in a child seat and was found by first responders still secured in the back seat.
McConnell and the child were flown separately to two different hospitals.
A dog was also found in the car. It was taken to Polk County Animal Control.
The preliminary investigation found that the Toyota was traveling 74 mph (in a 60 mph zone) about four seconds prior to the crash.
Westbound SR 60 was closed for about one hour, while the eastbound side was closed for two hours.
Peggy Jean Young Williams, 92, of Lake Wales, passed away at home on November 27, 2025.
She was well know in the community for riding around in her station wagon selling sherbies and goodies. She will be greatly missed by family, friends, and all who knew her.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 5, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 241 C Street, Lake Wales, FL 33853.
The funeral will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025, beginning at 2:00 pm, at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church.
SR 60 and Walk-in-Water and Boy Scout Camp Rd intersection change construction
Out on State Road 60, just past where the strip malls thin out and pastures take over, the highway crosses Walk in Water Road and Boy Scout Camp Road. It is the kind of place that still looks like old Florida from the driver’s seat: ranch land, orange groves, a good fishing lake, and more sky than concrete.
It feels like a road where not much changes.
But everything is changing, and a single turn lane project at that hilltop intersection says a lot about where Polk County is headed.
Polk County and the state are rebuilding the median and turn movements where SR 60 meets Walk in Water Road and Boy Scout Camp Road. Once the work is done, drivers heading east on 60 will not be able to simply cross over or turn left at Boy Scout anymore. If you want to go north, you will have to go past the intersection, make a U turn on SR 60, then come back, on a stretch where the road crests and visibility is not always great.
On paper, it is a safety project. Engineers are trying to reduce the dangerous crossing and left turn movements that have caused serious crashes there. In theory, fewer places to cross four lanes of fast traffic should mean fewer wrecks. But for the people who live, work, or camp off Boy Scout and Walk in Water, it also means longer, more complicated trips and new risks where those U turns will happen.
Zoom out, and this small change is one piece of a much bigger puzzle: the rebuilt US 27 and SR 60 interchange, resurfacing and turn lane changes between Lake Wales and Bartow, and new connectors like the Central Polk Parkway. Project by project, the country highway many people remember is being reshaped into a high speed corridor for commuters, trucks, and growth.
That raises a harder question: Are we designing the kind of county we want to live in, or just retrofitting roads to chase growth that is already here? Safer intersections and fewer deadly crashes are hard to argue against. But every time we close a crossover, add a lane, or push traffic into a new pattern, we trade a little bit of the old rhythm of this place for a new one.
If you drive SR 60 through the Walk in Water area, expect daytime lane closures, lower work zone speeds, and flaggers while the new pattern goes in. The cones will come down eventually. The question is what stays behind.
When you find yourself doing that U turn to get to Boy Scout or Walk in Water a year from now, ask yourself: Does this feel like the kind of Polk County you want to see more of, or a compromise you did not really get to weigh in on? The turn lane is coming either way. What comes after it is still, at least partly, up to us.
Residents along Tillman Avenue won’t have to worry about their cars floating away during heavy rainfall now that Lake Wales has approved slip-lining the road’s stormwater pipe.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Dec. 2, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve their consent agenda, which included an item authorizing the slip-lining of the stormwater pipe along Tillman Avenue for $39,900.
Recently, Tillman Avenue has experienced repeated flooding during heavy rain due to the pipe’s “significant deterioration and partial blockage,” which has left standing water deep enough to shift or float parked vehicles.
“Out of caution, staff deferred resurfacing this roadway segment until the drainage system could be repaired,” wrote Nancy C. Hernandez, Public Works Operations Manager. “Slip-lining is recommended as the most efficient and least disruptive method to restore system functionality without full pipe replacement.”
Evans & Lyles submitted a proposal for the repairs. Currently, the public works department has hired a contractor to perform televise-and-clean operations. After which, slip-lining will commence.
Commissioners had the option not to approve the authorization for slip-lining. However, delaying the repair would have allowed conditions to worsen, prolonging flood risk for residents and further postponing the planned resurfacing.
On December 2, 2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m., officers from the Lake Wales Police Department responded to the area of South 9th Street and Columbia Avenue following reports of gunshots.
Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Jayvyn McFadden, 20, of Lake Wales, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel-initiated lifesaving efforts, and McFadden was transported to a local hospital. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced deceased.
During the course of the investigation, Miles Edward Brown, 19, of Frostproof, voluntarily turned himself in at the Lake Wales Police Department. Brown was taken into custody and charged with Second Degree Murder and Tampering With Evidence. At this time, investigators are not seeking any other suspects, and there is no risk to the public.
This remains an active investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Lake Wales Police Department at (863) 678-4223 or to remain anonymous by calling Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477).
“I was heading home one day from Taco Riendo, and as I drove through a mobile home community, I saw someone had set out a makeshift bench with signs that read ‘free food and stuff’. I thought about how someone who maybe struggling financially themselves thought of others who maybe in a worse situation through the holidays and set up food outside to give away.”
This was the beginning of two community pantries set up by Jessica Cordova and Margarita Ortiz, co-owners of Taco Riendo.
The popular food truck, based on Hwy. 60 out of the parking lot at Lake Wales Arts Center, is now home to a holiday food pantry. It sits beside the location’s feminine products pantry, which was brought earlier this year by @Polk Period Pantry to the location as a way to help those who maybe struggle to afford period products.
“Combining the two would be a great way to help others and get our community involved even if it was to help a handful of families in need,” the owners say.
“With this initiative we hope to be able to help along with those in our community who donate to give to those who maybe struggling to make ends meet or who maybe feel shame having to go to food pantry’s in which they maybe have to provide identification or just by having to be seen. In this way we hope that when we are open or close whoever drives by can just stop and help themselves no questions asked.
“We constantly see many people in need walking by Hwy. 60, to whom we have provided a meal or drink free of charge but we know this doesn’t solve the fact that they still may not have food at home.”
Guests at Taco Riendo who are able to donate are encouraged to drop off items for the pantry.
“We hope this will reach more people in our community who maybe willing to donate or even share the information to get the word out,” Cordova says.
At this time, non-perishable food items, as well as toiletries are most needed for the pantry. Anyone, no matter their financial situation, is welcome to take items as needed.
“Sometimes those who don’t ask are the ones in most need so we hope that this ‘take what you need, leave what you can’ pantry will help anyone and everyone who needs it,”says Cordova.
“We are a small business and we know we can’t financially afford to donate much but we are adding items ourselves as we can. We are thankful for all the support so far it’s only been a few days but the response has been wonderful!”
Get ready to jingle all the way! The City’s Annual Christmas Cinema with Santa event at Oakley Park (next to LW Library) is set for Dec. 20, 2025.
Bring the kids for a fun evening featuring photos with Santa and a screening of the holiday classic “The Santa Klaus”. This free event kicks off at 4 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk.
Enjoy festive fun for the whole family, including a 27-ft Snowman Bounce House, food trucks, train rides, face painting, holiday craft stations, and more! We’re also hosting a Toy Drive, so please bring along any new or gently used toys to help spread holiday cheer.
Note: The movie will be shown outside on an inflatable screen at Oakley Park. Bring chairs, blankets and anything comfortable for seating. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. For all vendor or volunteer inquiries, please contact [email protected].
