A quiet neighborhood in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, is now at the center of tragedy: 40-year-old Justine Mroz—a mother, educator, and once-respected member of her community—has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder after authorities say she strangled her 6-year-old autistic son, then tried to end her own life.
The morning of October 19 began with an anguished 911 call just before 10 a.m. Mroz reportedly told dispatchers she had killed her son and intended to kill herself. Deputies who arrived at her home found her with self-inflicted cuts on her wrists and arms. On the floor lay the child, unresponsive. Though paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, he was later declared dead.
Investigators say that in her account, Mroz described a cascade of events she said she could no longer control. Her son, who had been diagnosed with autism, was watching television when he began to hit his head and body against the floor. When she intervened, she claimed, he lashed out—biting her, striking her in the face. At that point, she says she “snapped,” grabbed him, and choked him using both hands until he stopped breathing.
Following the act, Mroz is said to have gone to the bathroom, retrieved razor blades she had purchased just two days before, and cut her wrists. She then placed a frantic call to 911 and sent apologetic texts to family members. Investigators also reported that she had made a prior attempt at suicide earlier that same morning, before collecting her son from his father’s home.
Pasco County Schools, where Mroz taught grades 6 through 12, confirmed her arrest and immediately removed her from any campus duties. The school district released a statement saying simply: “On behalf of the entire Pasco County Schools family, we extend our deepest condolences to all who are grieving.” They also noted that crisis support teams had been deployed to help staff and students affected by the tragedy.
Mroz made her initial court appearance on Monday, formally charged with second-degree murder. The judge ordered she remain in custody without bond, pending a pretrial hearing scheduled for October 27. The child’s name has not been released, in deference to privacy laws, though the case has been described by officials as profoundly heartbreaking. In court, Mroz reportedly looked distraught—her defense status and whether she has entered a plea remain unclear as the investigation continues.
Detectives are still reviewing evidence and interviewing relatives to piece together what led to this fatal breakdown. Among the open questions: what support systems, mental health safeguards, or stressors may have contributed to the collapse of her restraint. In the meantime, officials have urged families and caregivers who feel overwhelmed to reach out for help and support before crisis strikes.
