Three suspects — ages 12, 13, and 15 — are facing serious criminal charges after the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl at a community garden in Miami last summer, authorities said.
The incident occurred on June 18, 2025, at the Green Haven Project community garden in Overtown. Police records show that two of the suspects, ages 12 and 13, were booked this week into the Metro West Detention Center and are being prosecuted as adults. Both appeared in adult court Friday, where a judge ordered them held without bond pending further proceedings.
The third suspect, a 15-year-old, is scheduled to appear in adult court for arraignment.
According to arrest reports, the victim was walking home from a friend’s house when she encountered the suspects and a witness. Investigators say one of the suspects grabbed her and forced her to the community garden, where the assault allegedly took place while the others assisted. The witness did not participate but later told police he was afraid to intervene because he was outnumbered.
The assault reportedly ended when the girl’s father was heard calling her name, prompting the suspects to flee.
Charges vary by suspect and include sexual battery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated battery, and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.
The Green Haven Project released a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident and condemned the actions described in the investigation. The organization said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and emphasized that the alleged conduct is completely contrary to its mission and values.
The case has drawn attention to the legal complexities of prosecuting juveniles as adults in cases involving violent crimes.
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