Maitland therapist arrested on charges of child molestation, Polk County deputies say

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A therapist who worked at Big Bear Behavioral Health in Maitland has been arrested on charges involving children, Polk County deputies announced Tuesday.

Jessica Lazzara, 42, of Mulberry, was fired from Big Bear Behavioral Health after her arrest on May 25.

Deputies said the charges stem from an incident during a therapy session with two victims of sexual abuse at a home in Frostproof.

Lazzara went to the home April 24 for a therapy session and threatened a 13-year-old girl by pointing a bow and arrow at her because the child did not want to get out of bed, deputies said. Lazzara hit the child's legs with the arrow and the child got up and left the room, deputies said.

Lazzara asked the child if she wanted to be spanked and she said, "No," investigators said.

Deputies said Lazzara rolled the 11-year-old child onto her stomach, stuck a lighter between the girl's legs and poked her vagina several times.

Lazzara is accused of spraying black paint on one of the victims and on their mother.

Lazzara is also accused of raising up her shirt and bra and rubbing her breasts on the 13-year-old child, deputies said.

Lazzara said she was going to kill everyone and herself, deputies said.

"Mom and victim 1 and 2 are not trained law enforcement officers, but they knew at this time that their mental health counselor was in mental health crisis, so they locked themselves up in the house and dialed 911," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

During questioning, Lazzara told deputies, "I was having a bad day and I only remember certain things. I remember telling one of the officers to shoot me ... I am sorry for what I did. I don't need to be a therapist anymore. I don't need to work around children," investigators said.

Lazzara is charged with lewd molestation, lewd and lascivious conduct, child abuse, battery and indecent exposure.

She is being held without bail.

Big Bear released a statement following Lazzara's arrest:

"Big Bear was notified of the incident and took immediate action to address the concerns reported to us.

"Big Bear places great value on the confidentiality & safety of our clients and staff, and are dedicated to serving our community with caring, competent strength. We pride ourselves in working with clinicians of the highest caliber, and exceed all local, state and federal guidelines in qualifying our employees prior to hire.

"We are cooperating with the authorities during their investigation and will continue to address and questions from them immediately."

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Lazzara was arrested in 2006 by Lakeland police for purchasing alcohol for someone under the age of 21. She was arrested and convicted for driving under the influence in 2010, deputies said.

Judd said Lazzara told them she lost her children because of her mental health issues.

"That may be the craziest thing I have heard in my life," Judd said.

Cox Media Group