A traffic stop by Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies in Polk City led to the recovery of two missing & endangered children from St. Petersburg, Florida.
PSCO deputies committed to traffic stop about 5:20 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, stopping the driver of a red 2003 Mercury Mountaineer at 1060 Commonwealth Avenue in Polk City.
The driver was identified as 34-year old Twanda Neal, and the front-seat passenger was identified as 50-year old Anthony Davis, both from St. Petersburg.
Twanda Neal had a warrant out of Pinellas County for child abuse, according to PSCO.
In the back-seat of the car were the two missing/endangered children.
During the traffic stop, Twanda called 911, and stated that she was scared for her life.
Deputies told Neal to hang-up the phone and exit the vehicle, but she continually refused and resisted.
As a deputy worked to remove Neal from the car, Davis struck the deputies multiple times.
Twanda Neal and Anthony Davis were both arrested, and the two children were turned over to the Florida Department of Children & Families.
Neal was arrested on the Pinellas County warrant and additionally charged with misuse of 911 and resisting. Davis was charged with battery on LEO (2-counts) and resisting with violence.