A Winter Haven elementary school teacher was taken into custody on Wednesday following allegations she made a false battery accusation against a colleague. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that Juanita McCoy, aged 45, who works at Lake Shipp Elementary School, had initially contacted them on October 19. She claimed that Latonya Miller, another teacher and former friend, had “shoulder-checked” her in a hallway encounter.

However, the investigation took a turn when McCoy ceased cooperating with the authorities, refusing to provide additional details about the incident. In her defense, Miller told deputies she had not made any physical contact with McCoy. She explained that both were walking toward each other on a narrow walkway, where McCoy partially obstructed the path, necessitating Miller to step aside to pass.

The situation became clearer when surveillance footage was reviewed, confirming that no physical contact took place, thus supporting Miller’s version of events. Furthermore, Miller informed the deputies that this was not an isolated incident, noting it was the second time such allegations had been falsely made against her by McCoy.

Deputies said that while interviewing Miller, she denied making contact with McCoy, stating that the two women were on a walkway walking toward each other when McCoy partially blocked the path, forcing Miller to walk around.

Surveillance video of the incident showed that no contact was made, corroborating Miller’s account of the event.

Deputies said that Miller informed them that this was the second time such an incident had occurred.

Miller told deputies that McCoy had made another accusation to the PCSO in Feb. 2020 saying that she had intentionally bumped her at school. That investigation was closed with no charges filed after both women signed waivers of prosecution

“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. Accusing an innocent person of a crime is a serious matter, and a waste of law enforcement resources,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested McCoy and charged her with false report of a crime to law enforcement.