Child Rape Victim HIV Positive | Teacher Sends Nude Pics | Police Chief Arrested: FL News

FLORIDA — On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from across Florida. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest and quirkiest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

Boy Tests Positive For HIV After Being Sexually Battered By Man: PCSO

A Clearwater man admitted to sexually battering an 8-year-old boy in the St. Pete area, the sheriff said. Both tested positive for HIV.

2 Men Kept Girl, 13, At Tampa Motel Against Her Will: Sheriff

Two men face multiple felonies, including human trafficking, after bringing a 13-year-old girl to a Tampa motel, the sheriff’s office said.

Woman Shoots Father During Pinellas County Custody Exchange: Sheriff

A woman was charged with attempted murder for shooting her father during a child custody exchange with his estranged wife, PSCO said.

Teacher Sent Nude Photo To Middle School Student: Manatee Sheriff

A teacher at a Bradenton middle school sent a nude photo to a 14-year-old boy at the school via Snapchat, the Manatee sheriff said.

Hospital Worker Arrested On Child Porn Charges: Hillsborough Sheriff

A Tampa General Hospital worker faces 79 counts of child possession and distribution, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

Man, 7-Year-Old Rescued From Tampa Crash: Watch

Officers rescued a driver and a 7-year-old passenger from a crash at a Tampa intersection last month, police said.

St. Pete Man Stole High-End Watches Worth $650K From His Employer: Sheriff

An employee stole $650K worth of high-end watches from a Largo jewelry store, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Former South FL Police Chief Charged With Fraud, Grand Theft: FDLE

The former Hialeah Police Department chief is accused of stealing $560K in petty cash and seized assets, FL Dept. Of Law Enforcement said.

Man Dead, Woman Injured In Shooting At Tampa Home: Hillsborough Sheriff

An early Friday morning shooting that left a man dead and a woman injured in Tampa is under investigation, the Hillsborough sheriff said.

St. Pete Man Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud, Mail Theft: U.S. DOJ

A St. Petersburg man used a stolen key to break into U.S. Postal Service collection boxes and steal mail, the U.S. DOJ said.

Man Sentenced In Fatal St. Pete Street Racing Crash: Police

A man will spend time between bars after he hit and killed a teenager during a 2023 illegal street racing event in St. Pete, police said.

Bar Gunman Given Lengthy Prison Sentence For Injuring 2 People: Bradenton Police

A man who shot and injured two people after an argument at a Bradenton bar was sentenced to prison, police said.

Man Arrested In Sarasota Drug Bust: Police

After a search warrant at a Sarasota home, a man was arrested on multiple drug and gun charges, police said.

2 FL Beaches Land On Dr. Beach’s Top 10 List

Check out which two Florida beaches made Dr. Beach’s annual “Top 10 Beaches List of 2025.”

‘Rescuer’s Worst Nightmare’: Fire Destroys St. Pete Cat Rescue's Home

More than 50 cats were rescued from a devastating house fire in the St. Pete area that killed an animal rescue’s president’s personal pets.

Man Shot Into Car, Killed Passenger In Tampa As Child Looked On: HCSO

The passenger in a car was fatally shot at an intersection in Tampa on Friday afternoon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

Tesla Driver Dies After Car Catches Fire In US 41 Crash: FL Troopers

A 21-year-old Pasco County man died after losing control of his Tesla in an early Wednesday morning crash on U.S. 41, FL troopers said.

Body Found Under Pinellas County Bridge Identified After 30 Years

DNA helped to identify a VA man whose body was found floating near a Clearwater bridge 30 years ago, police said.

Former FL Congressman To Run For FL Governor As Democrat

David Jolly, a former U.S. representative and Republican, announced his Florida gubernatorial run as a Democrat on Thursday.