Florida Woman Charged with Posing as Teen to Molest Boys Claims She's the 'Real Victim'

Alyssa Zinger's father says his daughter, who has mental health issues, was seduced by a 12-15 year old boy and is not responsible for the crimes.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A 25-year-old Florida woman named Alyssa Ann Zinger has been charged with posing as a 14-year-old on social media to lure and sexually abuse five middle-school-aged boys. However, Zinger's father, Josh Zinger, claims his daughter is the 'real victim' due to her mental health issues, including ADHD, ADD, OCD, Tourette's Syndrome and anorexia. He alleges the first victim, a 12-15 year old boy, seduced Zinger and even took her virginity, and that the other boys were aware of her real age.

Why it matters

This case raises complex questions about mental health, consent, and the legal responsibility of individuals with cognitive impairments who engage in sexual acts with minors. It also highlights the dangers of online predation and the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable youth from exploitation.

The details

Zinger was first arrested in November 2023 for allegedly engaging in at least 30 sexual acts with a 12-15 year old boy after creating a fake social media persona as a 14-year-old homeschooled teen. Five months later in April 2024, authorities identified four more alleged victims, all middle school students in Tampa's Hyde Park neighborhood. Zinger has remained in jail without bail since her second arrest on felony charges including lewd or lascivious battery, molestation, possession of child pornography, and sexual cyber harassment.

  • Zinger was first arrested in November 2023.
  • In April 2024, five months after her first arrest, authorities identified four more alleged victims.

The players

Alyssa Ann Zinger

A 25-year-old Florida woman charged with posing as a 14-year-old on social media to lure and sexually abuse five middle-school-aged boys. Zinger has a history of mental health issues including ADHD, ADD, OCD, Tourette's Syndrome and anorexia.

Josh Zinger

Alyssa Zinger's 55-year-old father, who claims his daughter is the 'real victim' due to her mental deficiencies and was seduced by one of the underage boys.

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What they’re saying

“She's defective – mentally defective. And do you know what that means under the law? If somebody is mentally defective and has sex with somebody, no matter their age, it's illegal to have sex with a mentally defective person.”

— Josh Zinger, Alyssa Zinger's father (New York Post)

“That boy found her [social-media] account, found her dancing like a 13-year-old on it and said, 'Hey, girl, I'll Uber you to my $5,000-a-month apartment – come on and hang out,' And then when she got there, she never said she wasn't 14 to him, but he knew her real age, and he knew she was mentally unstable.”

— Josh Zinger, Alyssa Zinger's father (New York Post)

What’s next

Zinger's trial is scheduled to begin on May 26.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding sexual acts between individuals with mental health issues and minors. It underscores the need for greater understanding, support, and safeguards to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation, while also ensuring fair and just treatment under the law.