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🌱 Lakeland incest case now moves into the Bartow courthouse

Bartow, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min read

Good morning to you Bartow! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Lakeland incest case now moves into the Bartow courthouse
  • How strong is the DNA tying TJ Wiggins to murder charges?
  • Why is an online star being held without bond in Bartow?

Also on today's calendar: Adult Ukulele Club and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call cows dancing in the dark 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 91 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, temps: high: 90, low: 73.
  • Monday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Police Say ‘Happily' Married Mom Confessed to Having Sex With Her Son 100 Times (pulptastic.com) — A disturbing incest case from Lakeland is headed to court in Bartow, where a mother and her adult son face charges including incest and domestic violence battery. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says the allegations surfaced after a domestic dispute, and both defendants are now moving through the local court system, with the son still jailed without bond.
   

2. Defense questions DNA evidence in TJ Wiggins triple-murder trial (theledger.com) — Testimony at the Bartow Courthouse is focusing on whether complex DNA analysis truly links defendant TJ Wiggins to shell casings from a 2020 triple murder in Frostproof. A defense attorney spent hours challenging the lab’s methods, software, and potential contamination, while prosecutors argue the results strongly support Wiggins’ DNA being on key evidence.
   

3. Costa Rican Creator Julián Valjota in ICE Custody in Florida (whatstrending.com) — A Costa Rican content creator is currently being held without bond in an ICE-related detention at the Polk County jail in Bartow, following a traffic stop in Orlando and an expired-license arrest. Local records show an ICE detainer and unclear immigration status, while Costa Rican officials and lawmakers are pressing for consular access and answers about his treatment and next legal steps.
   

4. Ila Louise Geyer (lawrencecountyrecord.com) — Bartow readers may note that resident Jimmy Lashley is mourning the loss of his daughter, Ila Louise Geyer, a longtime Missouri educator who recently passed away at 47. The Cassville-based teacher, remembered for her dedication to students and advanced education degrees, has been cremated, with her family planning private services at a later date.
   

📸 Around Bartow

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📣 Bartow Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    Found on September 17, 2026 in Lakeland, FL 33803 near Off Edgewood Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder,… (Nextdoor N 1st Ave)
  • Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Front of House Team Member in Bartow. Apply here.
  • pOpshelf posted a job opening for TEAM MEMBER - pOpshelf in LAKELAND, FL S24305 in Bartow. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bartow here.

Ok Bartow! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Night Moo-s (Thank you John S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bartow

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bartow

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.