Opa-Locka’s parks director is out of a job after a local TV report said a child was left overnight in a city vehicle, a brief but explosive allegation that has suddenly put the small northwest Miami-Dade city’s recreation operation under a harsh spotlight over how it oversees staff.
According to CBS News Miami, the parks director has been fired, and a criminal case is tied to the incident. The station’s short video segment did not identify the child and did not list any formal charges connected to the report.
What the city's records show
The City of Opa-Locka’s staff directory lists Zonya Ray as the Parks and Recreation director and shows the department’s office at 215 N. Perviz Avenue, according to the City of Opa-Locka. The department oversees local recreation programs and maintains neighborhood sites that are regularly used by families and children.
Legal stakes
Florida law prohibits leaving a child younger than 6 unattended in a motor vehicle for more than 15 minutes and authorizes officers to remove a child when the child’s health may be in danger, as outlined in Florida Statute 316.6135. That statute typically guides what investigators and prosecutors look at in early inquiries involving children left in vehicles.
Next steps
The initial report from CBS News Miami did not list any specific charges or identify the child, and the station reported that a criminal investigation is underway. We will continue to watch court filings and official city communications for any formal charges or public statements from city leaders and will update this story as more information becomes available.
