Miami authorities have moved forward with adult felony charges against three boys, ages 12, 13, and 15, for the reported sexual assault of a 12 year old girl that took place in June 2025.
The incident occurred in the Green Haven Project community garden in Overtown, a neighborhood long plagued by concerns over crime and safety. Police say the girl was walking home around 10 p.m. on June 18 when the suspects approached her.
According to the arrest reports, 13-year-old Nelson Nunez pulled her into the garden area, forced her onto a couch positioned between two buildings, removed her lower clothing, and proceeded to sexually assault her. The attack reportedly continued for close to 30 minutes while the victim cried out in distress and tried to call for help.
Investigators state that 12-year-old Jusiah Jones responded to her screams by grabbing rocks off the ground and forcing them into her mouth to prevent her from making noise. The third boy, who was 14 during the incident and is now 15-year-old Xavier Tyson, allegedly restrained her by holding her arms and legs down so she could not fight back or get away.
The assault came to an end only when the girl’s father, who had begun searching the area and calling her name, got close enough for the suspects to hear him. They fled immediately afterward.
Officers located and arrested the three boys the next day, originally booking them on juvenile charges. In late February 2026, a grand jury in Miami-Dade County returned indictments that cleared the way for adult prosecution. On February 26, Jones and Nunez were transferred from juvenile facilities to Metro West Detention Center. Both appeared in adult court the following day, where a judge denied bond and ordered them held until their next scheduled appearance. Tyson is also proceeding through adult court, with his arraignment date already set.
The formal charges are serious and reflect the severity of the allegations. Jones faces aggravated battery and false imprisonment. Nunez is charged with sexual battery on a minor by a minor and kidnapping. Tyson faces sexual battery, false imprisonment, and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.
Miami Police spokesperson Mike Vega addressed the public after the decision to charge the suspects as adults became official. “It’s heartbreaking, and I can only imagine the pain that a 12-year-old is gonna have for the rest of her life, knowing what occurred to her.” He continued, “The reason why it’s coming to light now is that now they’re being charged as adults.”
The prosecution’s choice to pursue adult charges has reignited debate in Florida about when juveniles should face adult penalties, particularly in cases involving alleged sexual violence against children. Residents in Overtown continue to express alarm over the safety of young people in the community.
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Charge all of them as adults. All of them are going down for life. They should be a shame of the acts they applied against this young innocent girl. None of them should be jailed in Juvenile Detention Centers. They should go to the big house. Where they will know that they are now adults charged will adult crime; and spend the rest of their lives there. They did a horrific and horrible act against this child. They will see how it is to be rape and held against their will. Oh yes, they will be raped and abused. They will see the effects to their acts. What possessed them to take a child’s innocence from her? Her parents are sick to the core of their stomachs. My thoughts are with her family for what they have endured by this horrendous crime. May the peace of God be with them as they attend court; and have to face their daughter’s accusers. It will definitely be hard for the child to be there. I hope God she’s not in court because this will open up more wounds. I am overwhelmed with thinking about this young child. My prayer for is to heal with God’s help. May she grow up in a peace of mind and continue her life as her family planned it to be.
Minister Dr. Cheryl Benefield
But why did god allow it to happen in the first place. Guess he’s not all that powerful.
Amen very well said!