Docs: Director of Anderson addiction recovery center battered 15-year-old

ANDERSON, Ind. — Court documents have shed new light on battery charges filed against the director of an addiction wellness center based in Anderson.

Karl Lazar, 43, was arrested on April 25 for allegedly battering a juvenile in the 3200 block of East CR 150 N. Lazar was preliminarily charged with Domestic Battery (Level 6 Felony) and Criminal Confinement (Level 6 Felony).

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The Madison County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to FOX59/CBS4 last week that Lazar serves as the director of Grace Recovery and Wellness. The center’s website lists Lazar as its director of operations. According to the website, the center specializes in providing opioid and alcohol substance abuse treatment plans.

Court documents indicate an MCSO deputy responded to Anderson Preparatory Academy after receiving reports that a juvenile had possibly been battered.

During the forensic interview, the victim reportedly told the deputy that Lazar had been in her life since she was 2 years old. She said Lazar allegedly “flips out” if she “does one thing wrong.” The victim added that Lazar has allegedly pushed her into walls while calling her a “whore,” court documents said.

Court documents detailed another incident in which Lazar allegedly shut the door to their residence on the 15-year-old, causing bruising to her right hip. Another example involved Lazar allegedly slamming the juvenile’s wrist in the fridge “because she was getting a glass of milk.”

The victim also recalled Lazar allegedly pushing her face into a puddle of urine inside their home after their dog had peed on the floor, court documents said.

During an interview with police, Lazar allegedly denied causing any of the bruises or ever pushing the victim. Lazar reportedly told deputies that the 15-year-old was “making everything up.”

Online jail records indicate Lazar was released from the Madison County Jail on April 28. Meanwhile, online court records show that the state has filed a notice of intent to seek habitual offender status against Lazar.

The Indiana Department of Child Services is also involved in the case. The incident remains under investigation. Grace Recovery and Wellness Center declined to comment on the charges pending against Lazar.