Miami teens face ruling on bond requests in shocking 12-year-old girl rape case

There were strong words from a Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge on Monday as he issued different rulings for two young suspects in the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl last summer in MIami.

One of them will be allowed out on bond, and a second suspect will not be released because of different circumstances surrounding the allegations, according to the judge.

Judge Richard Hersch said, "The horrific nature of this assault is not diminished by the age of these defendants, who are both facing up to life in prison for their part in the attack on the 12-year-old girl."

The attorneys for two of the suspects, 13-year-old Nelson Nunez and 12-year-old Jusiah Jones, had asked that their clients be released on bond for the alleged attack that happened in June of 2025 at an Overtown apartment building in MIami. That's when MIami police said the girl who was walking home was pulled to a sofa and attacked. 

15-year-old Xavier Tyson has also been indicted in the assault and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, authorities say. 

Prosecutor Arvind Singh said of Jones, "He is the one who actually put the rocks in her mouth to silence her from screaming. His actions allowed Nelson Nunez to continue raping the victim. All 3 defendants only stopped when they heard calls from the father. We have no evidence that Jusiah Jones had any type of harm."

But Jones's attorney Jean-Michel D'escoubet said "Jusiah Jones was forced to put rocks in her mouth." He said the victim even said she believed that Jones was going to be punished if he did not put rocks in her mouth.

Jones's mother also testified "He is very smart intelligent and you can ask him anything right now."

Judge Hersch ruled Jones would be allowed out on bond. 

He said "He stands at a different level of culpability because he did not have direct sexual contact with the girl."

But the Judge said Jones would be on a "Level 1 total lockdown" while under house arrest at home and will only be able to take classes on line and was to have no contact with the victim or suspects or no unsupervised visits with any female under the age of 25 and could no take part in any social media unless necessary for school.

D'escoubet told CBS News Miami "The judge ruled that the subject was not a danger to the community. He found the evidence isn't strong enough to keep my client in jail. I think it is a great first step but a lot of work needs to be done."

Jones was seen breaking down in court when the Judge issued his ruling.

Nunez's attorney Bijan Parwaresch said in court of Nunez "He has shown remorse and he has tried to contact the victim. He has a solid family and they are working people and responsible and can supervise the child."

But the Judge ruied that Nunez would be held without bond.

Parwaresch said "Apparently the Judge felt it was in the best interests of justice that he remain in custody. But he will not be in custody forever. it just means he will be in custody while we try to resolve this case."