Trauma Therapist Terrorized 2 Kids, Mom: Deputies

FROSTPROOF, FL — A 42-year-old Mulberry woman faces criminal charges after Polk County deputies say a therapy session she conducted at a Frostproof family's home took several bizarre turns in April. Those turns ultimately led to the a mother barricading herself and her two children behind a locked door while she called 911 for help. Jessica Lazzara’s arrest was announced by the agency on Tuesday, May 30.

The incident that led to Lazzara’s arrest reportedly began around 3:15 p.m. April 24 when she went to the family's home for a therapy session. Lazzara was employed by Big Bear Behavioral Health in Maitland at the time, working as a trauma therapist. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Tuesday that Lazzara had been counseling the mother's two young daughters, ages 11 and 13. Both girls were reportedly sexual abuse victims.

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Lazzara, authorities say, had worked with the children for several months before the April incident occurred. During that incident, the home session reportedly began with the 11-year-old only because the 13-year-old wouldn’t get out of bed, an arrest report said. After a short while, Lazzara is accused of going into the teenager’s room and threatening her by “pointing a bow and arrow at her.” She is also accused of hitting the teen with the arrow until she got out of bed.

At that point, deputies say the two girls and their 27-year-old mother went into the backyard to talk with Lazzara. Once outside, Lazzara is accused of asking the 11-year-old if “she wanted to be spanked,” the report said. When the girl said no, deputies say Lazzara rolled her onto her stomach and poked a lighter in between her legs several times. She’s then accused of picking up a can of spray paint and spraying it on the younger child and the mother.

Deputies say the 11-year-old took off to the front of the home at that point and got into a car. Lazzara, the teenager and the mother followed her. Once in the front yard, Lazzara is accused of lifting up her shirt and bra and then rubbing up against the teenager.

When the mother tried to confront Lazzara, deputies say she indicated she “was going to kill everyone and herself.”

In fear, the mother took her two children inside the house, locked the front door and called 911, the report said. Lazzara “continued to bang on the doors and windows” until she was detained by a deputy.

In a post-Miranda interview, deputies say Lazzara told them she “was having a bad day’ and could only recall certain things. She allegedly admitted to going into the teenager’s room, but said she didn’t remember striking her with an arrow. She also reportedly told deputies she remembered the 11-year-old getting into the car, banging on the front door and deputies arriving and handcuffing her. “She stated, ‘I remember telling one of the officers to shoot me,’” the report said.

Lazzara was Baker Acted following the incident and was charged with one count each of lewd molestation, lewd and lascivious conduct, child abuse, battery and indecent exposure on Thursday, May 25. She was being held without bond in the Polk County Jail Tuesday, May 30.

Big Bear Behavioral Health issued a statement about the investigation into Lazzara’s alleged actions on Tuesday. In doing so, the company referred to Lazzara as a former employee.

“Big Bear was notified of the incident and took immediate action to address the concerns reported to us,” the statement said. “Big Bear places great value on the confidentiality and safety of our clients and staff."

Further information about the investigation is not yet available.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office