A west-central Florida woman allegedly told detectives that she “snapped” before strangling her 6-year-old autistic son to death, according to an affidavit.

Justine Eve Mroz, 40, of Land O’ Lakes, called law enforcement on Sunday at 9:50 a.m. ET to report the child’s death, according to a news release from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. She was arrested on a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Elliot Perez.

Officers arrived at the residence and discovered Mroz with cuts and blood on her arms. The boy was on the ground and was unresponsive, authorities said. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to detectives, Mroz said that her son was watching television when he began banging his head on the floor and struck himself several times.

When Mroz attempted to restrain the child, she said that he began hitting and biting her before striking her in the face.

Mroz allegedly admitted to investigators that she “snapped.”

Mroz appeared in court on Monday. A judge ordered her held without bond.

Media reports originally stated that Mroz was a teacher in Pasco County, but school officials said she worked as an itinerant -- in a roving position -- and not as an instructor for a particular classroom.

“Pasco County Schools can confirm that Justine Mroz is employed by Pasco County Schools. She has been arrested by (the) Pasco Sheriff’s Office and will not be on any school campus,” school officials said in a statement. “In accordance with Pasco County Schools policy and employee 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. We are deploying crisis teams to provide care and support to those affected by this heartbreaking event.”

Mroz will return to court on Oct. 27 for a pretrial detention hearing.

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