Witnesses catch man at park accused of sexually assaulting 11-year-old girl in bathroom

MIAMI (WPLG) – A Florida man was arrested this week for allegedly luring a young girl into a park bathroom and raping her.

Authorities said the man was caught after a witness interrupted the alleged horrific assault.

Antwan Johnson, 18, is behind bars, accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl inside a bathroom at Gwen Cherry Park in northwest Miami-Dade County.

Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday.

According to an arrest report, the victim told deputies that Johnson asked her to go into the female bathroom to get him toilet paper. He then followed her, grabbed her, and moved her to a stall, covering her mouth and assaulting her.

Deputies said the girl told them that Johnson forced himself on her while she pleaded for him to let her leave.

It was at that point that a witness entered the bathroom and saw Johnson, who then took off. People at the park heard what happened and chased after him and detained the 18-year-old until deputies arrived.

Miami-Dade fire rescue crews transported the child to an area hospital for a medical evaluation.

A former classmate of Johnson’s, who didn’t want to be identified, called his actions disturbing.

“He wasn’t really in the right mindset,” they said. “Hearing about this is disgusting.”

Johnson is facing three charges that include sexual battery on a minor by an adult, kidnapping, and false imprisonment of a child under the age of 13.

Deputies said Johnson at first denied raping the girl before confessing to the crime.

Johnson said he was sorry and that he knew what he did was wrong, deputies said.

Copyright 2025 WPLG via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.