Polk DCF worker, fiance arrested in drug-trafficking case

An employee of the Florida Department of Children and Families was arrested Monday and accused of trafficking more than a half-pound of cocaine and more than two ounces of heroin.

Laymeshia Hicks, 25, of Mulberry was a child-protection investigator and has been fired, said Carrie Horstman, spokeswoman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. She turned herself in Monday evening, Horstman said.

“When we have to interview children for any reason at all, [child-protection investigators] usually accompany us on many types of these cases,” Horstman said.

Her fiance, Xzaiveous Scott, 31, of Mulberry, is wanted on the same charges. Deputies were looking for him late Monday, Horstman said.

Deputies found the drugs in the master bedroom when they responded to an armed home-invasion call last Friday at the couple’s home, according to Horstman. Scott’s nephews, ages 16 and 18, were there when two intruders forced their way inside and ransacked the house, she said.

Investigators found 68 grams of heroin and 288 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of about $35,000, authorities said.

Hicks and Scott weren’t at home at the time. Hicks’ 3-year-old child also Horstman said.

Hicks was jailed on charges including trafficking in heroin over 28 grams and trafficking in cocaine over 200 grams.

Scott pleaded guilty to cocaine possession in 2007 in Polk County, court records show. Hicks has no criminal record, according to Horstman. lives there,