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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.
Aug 22, 2018
Polk County deputies conducting death investigation related to house fire in Winter Haven
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence at 3346 Timberline Road West, at about 12:12 a.m.on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, in response to the death of an adult woman inside the home.
Polk Fire Rescue and the State Fire Marshall also responded to the scene to extinguish and investigate the fire.
53-year-old Ingrid Ramos was pronounced dead at the scene. She was found in her bedroom. Early indication is that the fire began in the same bedroom, and the fire appears to be accidental. However, the cause for the fire has not yet been determined.Please refer all fire-related questions to the above-listed agencies.
One other adult woman, and seven children between the ages of three and thirteen years of age were in the house when the fire began. An eight-year-old girl was taken to Lakeland Regional Health for chest pains, but she was released. There were no other injuries reported.
The investigation remains ongoing, and an autopsy will be conducted by the Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause of death.