Actress sentenced to probation for scratching, choking autistic son

Former Broadway actress Pia Zadora agreed to a plea deal last week that netted her six months of probation for a June domestic violence incident where she scratched and choked her 16-year-old autistic son.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melanie Tobiasson also sentenced Zadora to impulse control counseling, an alcohol evaluation and ordered her to stay out of trouble.

If Zadora successfully completes her sentence, the one count of domestic violence-battery will be dismissed. If not, she will face a 30-day jail sentence.

Las Vegas police were called about 4 a.m June 1 to Zadora’s Summerlin home in the 60 block of Hawkridge Drive, near Flamingo Road and Town Center Drive.

An hours-long standoff with SWAT ensued when Zadora’s husband, police officer Michael Jeffries, refused to come to the front door, according to a police report.

About five hours later, Zadora, 61, and her son, Jordan, came outside and detectives interviewed them. Jordan is Zadora’s son from a prior relationship.

Jeffries’ biological son, Mike Jeffries Jr., 32, was also home. Neither Jeffries nor his son spoke with police or were arrested.

Jordan, who suffers from the social development disorder autism, told detectives he argued with his mother after she told him to go to bed.

The argument escalated, and Zadora began spraying the family with a hose, the report said. Jordan told detectives she scratched her husband and stepson’s faces when they tried to calm her down.

About four hours later, Jordan called 911. He told police Zadora grabbed his eyes and face, scratched his ear and briefly choked him as they wrestled for the phone.

In her interview with detectives, Zadora said Jordan called 911 only because he didn’t want to go to bed.

On June 8, Zadora posted a statement to her website: “Those close to me realize the personal challenges that my family has been facing. We are all okay. Things are not the way they have been presented in the press. I can’t really explain it all to you right now, but as things unravel you will understand.”

Zadora was in the original 1964 Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” in which she portrayed Bielke. She gained national attention in 1981 when she won a Golden Globe Award as “New Star of the Year” for “Butterfly.”

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.