Miami-Dade church camp counselors accused of abusing 9-year-old boy, sheriff’s office says

Two Miami-Dade church camp counselors were arrested for allegedly abusing a 9-year-old boy by placing large orange cones over his head and repeatedly hitting him, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred on June 11 during a summer camp at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church, where Antoinette McKay, 50, and Zaccheus Scott, 34, served as counselors.

Deputies initiated a child-abuse investigation after the boy returned home with injuries. The sheriff’s office affidavit detailed that a fight broke out between the boy and one of his siblings during a football game at the West Perrine church. McKay and Scott intervened, with Scott allegedly placing large orange cones over the boy’s head, causing him to struggle to breathe.

McKay is accused of grabbing the boy by his ankles, pinning him on the ground, and holding him down by the ankles on a chair. During this time, Scott allegedly slapped the boy multiple times on the left side of his face and head. The boy sustained ruptured blood vessels in his left eye, a facial scratch, and swelling and bruising on the side of his face.

The boy’s father took him to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Palmetto Bay for treatment. Medical staff advised monitoring for concussion symptoms. McKay and Scott have not spoken with investigators and are both facing one count of child abuse or neglect without causing great bodily harm. They were held on $1,500 bonds at Miami-Dade’s Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Neither McKay nor Scott has a listed defense attorney. St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church has not responded to requests for comment. The case underscores the need for accountability and care in environments where minors are present, reflecting the biblical call to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice. Micah 6:8 reminds us to act with mercy, justice, and humility.

Source: Read the original report