Man lured 11-year-old into restroom at Miami-Dade park — and raped her: deputies
.jpg "An 18-year-old man was arrested for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old in Gwen Cherry Park, Miami-Dade, after Good Samaritans intervened.")
A man raped an 11-year-old girl at a Miami-Dade park after luring her inside a restroom Tuesday evening, deputies say.
Around 7 p.m., the young girl was at Gwen Cherry Park, 7090 NW 22nd Ave., when Antwan Johnson walked up to her, an arrest report read. The 18-year-old asked her to go into the women’s restroom to get toilet paper for him, as there was none left in the men’s lavatory.
She obliged. But when she walked into the bathroom, Johnson followed and promptly grabbed her, moving her into the last stall.
He forcibly covered her mouth, causing a cut on her lip, choked her and then proceeded to sexually abuse her, the report read. He then pushed her to the ground and continued to force himself on her as she pleaded for him to let her leave.
During this, a person walked into the bathroom and saw what was going on, the report read. Johnson ran out and the witness followed behind and yelled into the park that “[Johnson just raped the [young girl].”
Good Samaritans throughout the park took chase and captured him. Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies would arrive later and cuff him.
Deputies said Johnson at first denied the sexual battery but later confessed with the caveat that “he never penetrated her at any point.”
Johnson is facing charges of sexual battery on a minor, kidnapping and false imprisonment of a child.
As of Wednesday, he still remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Commissioner Marleine Bastien, who represents the neighborhoods around the park, spoke out against the “reprehensible act“ on Thursday.
“My heart is shattered by the senseless violence inflicted upon the innocent 11‑year‑old girl Tuesday evening at Gwen Cherry Park,” Bastien said in a statement. “This reprehensible act is a tragic violation of safety in our community, and my deepest sympathy goes out to the innocent child and her family during this unimaginably difficult time.”
She continued to say her office has been in contact with the child’s family and is reviewing park safety and protocols.
“We must all work together to protect our children and prevent future harm,” she said. “My heart goes out to this child and her family. We will continue to support them, pursue justice, and rebuild trust.”
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM.
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)