PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities in Pasco County are investigating a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case after a child was found dead inside a home in Land O’ Lakes on Sunday morning. The child’s mother, identified as 40-year-old Justine Mroz, has been arrested and charged with second-degree homicide, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
Deputies say the tragic discovery was made just before 10 a.m. at a residence located near Drexel Road. Investigators responded to the scene after Mroz herself called authorities to report the incident. Upon arrival, deputies located the deceased child inside the home under circumstances that remain under investigation.
In an update released later that day, Sheriff Chris Nocco confirmed that the incident was domestic in nature, involving a mother and her child, and emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
“This is an incredibly tragic case that affects everyone involved — the family, the community, and our deputies who responded,” officials stated. “Our detectives are working tirelessly to determine exactly what led up to this tragedy.”
Following her arrest, Justine Mroz was booked into the Pasco County Jail and is currently being held without bond as the investigation continues.
Authorities also confirmed that Mroz is an employee of Pasco County Schools, though the district quickly issued a statement clarifying that she will not be permitted on any school property pending the outcome of the investigation. The district also extended condolences to those affected by the incident, calling it “a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved.”
Investigators are now awaiting results from the medical examiner’s office to determine the exact cause and manner of the child’s death. While few details have been released publicly due to the sensitive nature of the case, authorities described the scene as distressing and have requested privacy for the grieving relatives and community members.
Neighbors in the normally quiet Land O’ Lakes area expressed shock and disbelief upon learning what had happened. “You never expect something like this so close to home,” one resident shared. “It’s absolutely devastating — a tragedy that will haunt this neighborhood for a long time.”
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with relevant information or who may have seen unusual activity in the Drexel Road area that morning to contact their office immediately as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
This incident marks one of the most tragic family-related cases in Pasco County this year, reminding many of the unseen struggles some families endure behind closed doors. As investigators continue their work, the community mourns the loss of an innocent life taken far too soon.
Authorities say additional details will be released as they become available.
— Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Land O’ Lakes, Florida
