News Update for 12/10/24
New details have been released in the deadly hit and run early Saturday morning in Sebring. Christian Batista, of Sebring, was killed by an impaired driver. The accused driver is Melvin A. Santiago, also of Sebring. Saturday morning, Sebring Police Department officers were dispatched after witnesses called and reported that an unconscious male was lying in the roadway. Witnesses also reported that they had observed a car with a scooter attached to its front end travelling Southbound on Hwy. 27. Surveillance footage was reviewed and helped to quickly identify the Audi used in the crime and a license plate number. Officers tracked Santiago to Spring Lake where the Audi was discovered with extensive damage. Santiago is currently being held without bond and has been charged with DUI homicide-negligent vehicular manslaughter, concealing evidence and failure to stop and remain at a crash involving death.
Attorneys for Kelsey Michelle Glover, accused of drowning her 14-year-old diabetic daughter, say a doctor has deemed her incompetent to stand trial. Glover allegedly withheld insulin from her daughter, confined her to a bedroom, and later drowned her in a bathtub on November 20. A judge has ordered further evaluation and scheduled a competency hearing for January 29. Glover faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault stemming from the incident.
More disturbing details have come forth after a Bartow man shot and killed his father and wounded his mother over the weekend. Twenty-three-year-old Joseph Voigt allegedly shot his father, Marvin, multiple times Saturday night after Marvin told Joseph to stop playing video games and get a job. Joseph was arrested when he was pulled over along International Drive in Orlando around 2 o’clock Sunday morning, hours after the shooting. Joseph’s mother, Susan Voigt, is still in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators are trying to find out the moments leading up to a man’s death after his body was found in a Polk County retention pond over the weekend. The sheriff’s office says the victim was discovered in Lakeland’s Chelsea Oaks subdivision Sunday morning. It’s believed the man died after experiencing a medical episode. No other details about the incident have been released to the public.
A Central Florida fisherman discovered nearly 55 pounds of cocaine, valued at one-point-seven-million-dollars, floating off the coast, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. The drugs, wrapped in watertight packages and marked with a scorpion insignia, were turned over to authorities. In a lighthearted statement, the sheriff’s office invited the “owner” to claim the packages, promising secure storage and an “all-expense-paid stay” at the county jail. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact them.
One of the two men wanted in connection to a shooting that left four people injured outside a Bradenton bar on Black Friday is in custody. Police in Georgia arrested 23-year-old Ronnie D. Morton the Third who was on an Amtrak train headed for North Carolina. He’s awaiting extradition back to Manatee County where he’s facing aggravated battery, robbery, and gun charges. Police are still looking for a second suspect in the shooting.
Forgery charges against Florida State Rep. Carolina Amesty have been dropped after she completed a diversion program. Prosecutors confirmed Amesty completed a financial crimes course, financial literacy training, and 30 hours of community service, leading to a decision not to pursue the case further. The charges, linked to her time at Central Christian Academy, alleged she notarized a document with a forged signature. Amesty was indicted and briefly jailed in August before being released on bond.
Attorney General Ashley Moody is offering tips to protect packages from thieves during the holiday season. She says the Sunshine State saw a large amount of porch pirates leading up to Christmas. Nationwide, suspects stole 12-billion dollars’ worth of packages from consumers’ doorsteps. Moody is urging residents to try to avoid leaving deliveries unattended by scheduling them for a tie when someone or a reliable neighbor will be home. People can also install security cameras and keep a close eye on tracking details for packages in order to grab them as soon as they arrive. A new Florida law is in effect to enhance penalties for porch pirates who steal items worth more than 40 dollars.