WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A teacher at Lake Shipp Elementary School in Winter Haven was arrested on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, after a Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) investigation concluded she had falsely reported that a colleague intentionally bumped into her at the school.
Juanita McCoy, 45, initially contacted the Sheriff’s Office on October 19th, alleging she had been “shoulder-checked” by Latonya Miller, another teacher at the school and a former friend.
The investigation, however, led to McCoy’s arrest.
During questioning, McCoy ceased cooperating with deputies and refused to provide further information. Ms. Miller, on the other hand, denied making any physical contact with McCoy. She told deputies that as the two women were walking toward each other on a walkway, McCoy partially blocked the path, forcing Miller to maneuver around her.
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Security video footage of the encounter reviewed by deputies corroborated Ms. Miller’s account, clearly showing that no contact was made between the two women as they passed.
“The people who work in our schools are entrusted with the care of our children. Not only do they provide education, but they’re also role models who have an impact on their students’ ethics and behavior,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “Accusing an innocent person of a crime is a serious matter, and a waste of law enforcement resources.”
This is reportedly the second time such an accusation has been made. Ms. Miller informed deputies that McCoy had previously accused her of intentionally bumping her at the school in February 2020. That earlier investigation was closed with no charges filed after both women signed waivers of prosecution.
Following the conclusion of the most recent investigation, Juanita McCoy was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. She has been charged with False Report of a Crime to Law Enforcement (M1).
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