Event Brief
Lakeland mom charged after autopsy links injuries
By The BriefBrief · Sources (4)
Filed: Sep 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET
Summary: A 42-year-old Lakeland woman faces an aggravated child abuse charge after a Polk County autopsy found a 3-month-old boy died from violent head impacts, not an accidental co-sleeping incident, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say she initially described falling asleep with the baby and later made statements including, “I think I killed our son.”
WHO: Jessica Vlasac, 42, of Lakeland; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Nelson
WHAT: Arrest and aggravated child abuse charge after autopsy findings contradict an alleged accidental co-sleeping account; investigators linked injuries to a square-like object and examined a matching ring.
WHEN: Sep 6, 2026
WHERE: Polk County, Florida (Lakeland)
WHY: The autopsy determined the infant’s death resulted from violent head impacts, contradicting the reported accidental co-sleeping explanation.
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