Polk Woman Charged With Child Abuse Turns Herself In: Police

HAINES CITY, FL — A 34-year-old Haines City woman who faces child abuse charges from a hit-and-run car crash Monday that injured a minor in her custody has turned herself in, a news release said.

Taquire Studimire is accused of crashing her 2008 Honda Civic into the front of a garbage truck on North 14th Street and Stuart Avenue before 8:30 a.m., Monday. Haines City police said the suspect got out of her car with a child and told the driver he was at fault for the crash.

According to investigators, a dashcam from the truck showed the child sitting in Studimire's car without a seatbelt on. The child was thrown into the dashboard when the crash occurred. Authorities said she was never seen taking the time to examine the child for injuries. After she confronted the driver, detectives said she got back into traffic with the driver's side door open and almost hit another vehicle.

Police found the child at a daycare facility with a head bruise and swollen cheek. The child was taken to a local hospital to be checked for serious injuries. Investigators said there were no other injuries found.

Studimire faces charges of child abuse, tampering with evidence, reckless driving, hit-and-run and resisting arrest without violence, according to law enforcement officials.

"The blatant disregard shown for this child is appalling," Chief Jim Elensky said. "She proceeded to put others in danger with her carelessness and has taken no responsibility for her actions. Perhaps jail time is what she needs to mull it over. It is fortunate that no one was seriously hurt."