Carla Bayron
Carla Bayron is a general assignment reporter for FOX 13 covering Polk County. She joined the team in September 2023.
Carla is a Sunshine State native who grew up in Palm Harbor. She attended Palm Harbor University High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Telecommunications.
After nearly six years reporting throughout the state of Michigan, she's thrilled to be back in the Tampa Bay area and closer to family. She said she will miss the Fall season, the beaches along Lake Michigan, and yes, even the snow, but only around Christmas time!
Throughout her career, Carla has covered numerous high-profile events, including the mass shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County, MI, the officer-involved shooting death of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, President Trump's 2016 campaign rally in Ocala, Florida and white nationalist Richard Spencer's speaking appearance at the University of Florida.
In her spare time, Carla enjoys creative writing, playing video games with her husband, and cheering on the Florida Gators and Tampa Bay sports teams. She also loves traveling, eating, and exploring the outdoors.
The latest from Carla Bayron
Judge denies mistrial in Polk County triple-murder trial after father's emotional outburst
A judge denied a mistrial motion Monday following an emotional courtroom outburst during the triple-murder trial of Tony "TJ" Wiggins in Bartow.
Jury deliberates death sentence for Shaun Runyon in Davenport killings
A jury in Bartow began deliberating Friday whether to sentence 44-year-old Shaun Runyon to death for killing three of his coworkers at a Davenport home in 2021.
Former bus driver, attendant face felony charges for spraying non-verbal student with chemical cleaner
A former school bus driver and an attendant face felony aggravated child abuse charges after authorities say they repeatedly sprayed a non-verbal 15-year-old student with industrial disinfectant cleaner on a bus in Lake Alfred.
Florida Southern College reopens historic Frank Lloyd Wright planetarium
Visitors at Florida Southern College in Lakeland can now experience fully updated immersive shows inside the world's only Frank Lloyd Wright planetarium.
Polk County jury hears mental health testimony in Davenport triple murder trial
A Polk County jury is weighing a potential death sentence for 44-year-old Shaun Runyon following defense testimony regarding his mental health and drug abuse history.
Davenport set to launch speed cameras at Horizons Elementary
Davenport officials are rolling out speed enforcement cameras at Horizons Elementary School on Monday after a traffic study exposed widespread speeding in the school zone.
Davenport High School student hit, killed by car while on electric scooter: PCSO
A 14-year-old boy died Thursday night after a vehicle struck his electric scooter at an intersection in Davenport, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Winter Haven woman uses AI to solve mystery inside 1884 Shakespeare book
A Winter Haven woman turned to artificial intelligence to uncover a 140-year-old family mystery hidden inside a vintage edition of Shakespeare's complete works.
Florida non-profit races against time to distribute $1M in medical equipment
A Polk County native is racing to find new distribution partners before more than $1 million in donated medical supplies sit in storage units and expire.
First Amendment group accuses Polk County Sheriff's Office of online censorship
A national free speech watchdog is demanding the Polk County Sheriff's Office stop blocking online critics and rewrite social media policies that allegedly violate the First Amendment.