Florida Woman Accused of Sexually Abusing 5 Kids Defended by Father

Dad claims daughter Alyssa Ann Zinger is 'mentally defective' and the 'real victim' in the case

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The father of a 25-year-old Florida woman accused of sexually abusing five middle school boys claims his daughter Alyssa Ann Zinger is 'mentally defective' and the true victim in the ongoing criminal case. Zinger allegedly posed as a homeschooled teenager on social media before the alleged abuse. Her father says she has been diagnosed with various mental disorders and that the underage boys she's accused of abusing were the ones who seduced her.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding the sexual abuse of minors, particularly when the alleged perpetrator has mental health challenges. It raises questions about culpability, consent, and how the criminal justice system should handle such cases involving both underage victims and a defendant with intellectual disabilities.

The details

Alyssa Ann Zinger was arrested in 2023 for allegedly posing as a 14-year-old on social media and having dozens of sexual encounters with a boy between the ages of 12 and 15. Authorities say she later went on to sexually abuse four other middle school boys. Zinger's father, Josh Zinger, claims his daughter has been diagnosed with various mental disorders including ADHD, ADD, OCD, Tourette's syndrome and anorexia, and that she once scored a 72 on an IQ test, which is considered slightly below average. He argues that under the law, having sex with someone who is 'mentally defective' is illegal, and therefore his daughter is the true victim, not the underage boys she's accused of abusing. Zinger's father also claims the boys seduced his daughter and that one of them introduced her to the other alleged victims.

  • Alyssa Zinger was arrested in 2023 for the alleged abuse.
  • Her case is scheduled for trial in May.

The players

Alyssa Ann Zinger

A 25-year-old Florida woman accused of sexually abusing five middle school boys after posing as a homeschooled teenager on social media. Her father claims she is 'mentally defective' and the true victim in the case.

Josh Zinger

The father of Alyssa Ann Zinger, who claims his daughter is 'mentally defective' and the real victim in the case, not the underage boys she's accused of abusing.

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What they’re saying

“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. In all actuality, she is the victim.”

— Josh Zinger, Father of Alyssa Ann Zinger (California 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, Father of Alyssa Ann Zinger (California Post)

What’s next

Alyssa Zinger's case is scheduled for trial in May, where the judge will determine if she will face any charges or if she will be considered the 'real victim' due to her mental health issues.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the sexual abuse of minors, especially when the alleged perpetrator has intellectual disabilities. It raises questions about culpability, consent, and how the criminal justice system should handle such cases to ensure justice for all involved.