Event Brief
UPDATED Aug 29, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET
Aug 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET
Polk grandmother arrested after child death
By The BriefBrief
Winter Haven police said Karen Benyard, 74, was arrested Wednesday on an aggravated manslaughter of a child charge nearly five months after her granddaughter died in the backseat of her car. Officers said the child was in a car seat after being picked up in Lake Wales on March 31, fell asleep during the trip, and was found unresponsive after Benyard returned from a nap.
WHO: Karen Benyard, 74; Winter Haven Police Department; granddaughter (17-month-old)
WHAT: Arrest on aggravated manslaughter of a child charge following a granddaughter’s death in a car backseat
WHEN: Reported Aug 26, 2026 at 9:15 PM ET
WHERE: Polk County, Florida
WHY: Benyard was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child related to the granddaughter being found unresponsive in the backseat of her car.
How this story developed (showing 2 of 2 earlier reports)
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