Two Miami Teens Charged as Adults for Alleged Rape of 12-Year-Old

13-year-old Nelson Nuñez and 12-year-old Jushia Jones accused of 2025 attack in community garden

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Two teenage boys, Nelson Nuñez (age 13) and Jushia Jones (age 12), have been arrested and charged as adults for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in a Miami community garden in June 2025. A third 15-year-old suspect has a warrant out for his arrest but has since moved out of state.

Why it matters

The case has sparked outrage in the Miami community and raised concerns about juvenile crime and the treatment of minors accused of serious offenses. It also highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing sexual violence against children.

The details

According to police, on June 18, 2025, the three boys allegedly pulled the 12-year-old victim into a community garden, where Nuñez is accused of raping her while Jones and the other boy held her down. The victim's father was nearby and heard her screaming for help, but the boys allegedly stuffed rocks in her mouth to silence her before fleeing the scene. Nuñez and Jones were arrested the following day, while the third suspect remains at large.

  • The alleged incident occurred on June 18, 2025.
  • Nuñez and Jones were arrested the following day on June 19, 2025.
  • The two teens appeared in bond court on February 28, 2026.

The players

Nelson Nuñez

A 13-year-old boy charged as an adult for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in a Miami community garden in 2025.

Jushia Jones

A 12-year-old boy charged as an adult for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in a Miami community garden in 2025.

15-year-old suspect

A third suspect who has a warrant out for his arrest but has since moved out of state.

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What they’re saying

“The reason why it's coming to light now is that now they're being charged as adults.”

— Mike Vega, Spokesperson for the City of Miami Police (CBS News Miami)

“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.”

— Mike Vega, Spokesperson for the City of Miami Police (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

The two teens charged as adults are expected to face a judge on Monday, March 3, 2026.

The takeaway

This case has sparked outrage in the Miami community and raised concerns about the treatment of minors accused of serious crimes. It highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing sexual violence against children and the need for comprehensive solutions to prevent such tragedies from occurring.