Pasco County Teacher Justine Mroz Charged With Killing 6-Year-Old Autistic Son in Land O’ Lakes, Florida After Allegedly “Snapping”

Authorities in Pasco County say a local teacher, Justine Mroz, 40, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder after allegedly strangling her 6-year-old autistic son to death inside their home over the weekend before attempting to take her own life.

According to an arrest affidavit released by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Mroz called 911 shortly before 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, and told dispatchers she had killed her son and was trying to kill herself.

When deputies arrived at her Land O’ Lakes residence, they found Mroz with cuts and blood on her arms and her son lying unresponsive on the floor. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, News 19 reported.

In her statement to investigators, Mroz said her son, who had been diagnosed with autism, began banging his head on the floor and hitting himself while watching television. When she tried to restrain him, he allegedly bit and hit her, prompting her to “snap.”

The affidavit states Mroz knelt over the child and strangled him with both hands until he stopped moving. She then left the room, retrieved razor blades, and cut her wrists before calling 911. She also sent a text message to family members apologizing, but did not provide details about what had occurred.

Detectives noted that Mroz had purchased the razor blades two days earlier and that she had attempted suicide earlier that day before picking up her son from his father’s home.

Authorities have not disclosed details about any mental health treatment or support services Mroz may have been receiving, nor about any therapy or care provided to her son.

Officials with Pasco County Schools confirmed that Mroz was employed by the district but declined to provide her specific position or school assignment, citing employee privacy laws.

“Pasco County Schools can confirm that Justine Mroz is employed by the district. She has been arrested by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and will not be on any school campus.
In accordance with district policy and privacy laws, no additional information will be provided at this time. On behalf of the entire Pasco County Schools family, we extend our deepest condolences to all who are grieving. Crisis teams have been deployed to provide care and support to those affected by this heartbreaking event,”
the district said in a released statement.

Mroz made her first court appearance on Monday, where a judge formally charged her with second-degree murder and ordered her held without bond at the Pasco County Jail. Her pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Monday, October 27.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.