Florida
Florida women accused of sextorting Hardee County grandmother in jail for baby’s hot car death: Documents
WAUCHULA, Fla. – A Florida grandmother who is in jail after her granddaughter died under her watch in a hot car months after her grandson died in her care is accusing two women of extorting her in jail.
Who is Tracey Nix?
Tracey Nix is a Wauchula grandmother who spent decades as a teacher.
Timeline:
In December 2021, deputies say her 16-month-old grandson wandered outside and drowned in a pond on Nix’s property.
Nix was not charged in that case.
PREVIOUS: Wauchula woman arrested in granddaughter’s death after 2021 death of grandson
In November 2022, Nix’s 7-month-old granddaughter died after she was left in a hot car while Nix was babysitting.
Two of Tracey Nix’s grandchildren died in her care less than a year apart.
In January 2025, a jury found her not guilty of aggravated manslaughter, but guilty of leaving a child in a car unattended.
After the verdict was read, Nix was taken into custody. She was ordered to be held in jail without bond until her sentencing.
Sextortion
According to an affidavit, while in jail, two women, Sandra Cardoza and Rosanna Sanchez, came up with a scheme to get money from Nix.
Dig deeper:
Documents show that on February 19, Sanchez asked Nix to write her a love letter and Nix drafted a fabricated newspaper advertisement depicting a romantic relationship between herself and Sanchez.
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After Nix read the document to Sanchez, documents show that Sanchez demanded $1,000 from Nix, threatening to send it to the local newspaper if she did not comply.
Pictured: Rosanna Sanchez. Image is courtesy of the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office.
The affidavit states Nix called her husband “under duress” and asked him to trust her and bring the money to the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office.
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Nix’s husband met with a woman, later identified as Cardoza’s sister, Guadalupe Botello, in the parking lot and handed over the money.
On February 26, documents show Sanchez demanded an additional $10,000 from Nix and threatened to publicly expose her sexuality if she did not comply.
Pictured: Sandra Cardoza. Image is courtesy of the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office.
When Nix declined, the affidavit states that Sanchez pinned Nix against a wall.
Nix escaped and called detention staff for help.
While investigating, authorities say Nix admitted to having a consensual sexual encounter with Sanchez that also involved Cardoza on at least one occasion.
Tracey Nix mugshot courtesy of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office.
Nix also told investigators that Sanchez claimed to have different personalities and had offered a voodoo ritual for a fee of $15,000 to ensure that Nix’s current legal charges would disappear.
Investigators looked at video footage that confirmed that Nix’s husband handed over a white envelope to a Hispanic woman in the sheriff’s office parking lot on February 19. They also analyzed call logs that corroborated statements from Nix and her husband.
Cardoza has been charged with extortion, illegal use of a 2-way communication device, and conspiracy.
Sanchez has been charged with attempt to commit extortion, extortion, and conspiracy.
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What’s next:
Nix was transferred to the DeSoto County Jail on February 27 and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 3.
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A massive wildfire in Putnam County in northern Florida left Amtrak passengers stranded on a train for more than 24 hours.
One train heading to New York City was forced to turn around, arriving back in Miami Monday night, including one passenger who said he had been on that train for about 38 hours.
He says he and other passengers were left uncertain about what was going on.
“Angry, confused, uncertain, in the dark,” said John Reardon.
Reardon, who lives in New York City, says he boarded the train around 7 a.m. Sunday to go back home. He said around 3 p.m. Sunday, the train stopped near Jacksonville.
“Finally, after about 5 hours, they said we’re not going to New York, we’re going back to Miami,” Reardon said. “One stop at a time.”
Amtrak said for the safety of its passengers, the train couldn’t continue going north because of the fire.
“Amtrak sends a notification to the phone saying, ‘Hey, there’s an issue with the wildfire, it’s too close to the railway,’” said passenger Katrinia Wheeler.
Multiple crews are battling multiple fires in two Florida counties, leaving at least 3,000 acres burned.
“I saw that there was a lot of smoke coming from the woods, and then I saw the fire trucks and emergency services,” Wheeler said.
The train that left Miami at 7 a.m. on Sunday returned around 9 p.m. on Monday, leaving passengers frustrated.
Amtrak corporate says they made the decision out of safety for their customers and said customers would receive full refunds and vouchers.
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 06-09-19-34-35
Evening: 08-09-12-25-31
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Morning: 03
Matinee: 08
Afternoon: 04
Evening: 01
Late Night: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 4-0, FB: 3
Evening: 0-6, FB: 6
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 2-9-1, FB: 3
Evening: 3-7-0, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 9-7-8-0, FB: 3
Evening: 3-6-7-8, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 3-9-3-5-1, FB: 3
Evening: 1-3-1-8-7, FB: 6
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
- Full name
- City of residence
- Game won
- Date won
- Amount won
- Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.
When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
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