safety
Mother files $20 million lawsuit against Miami -Dade private school after security guard's arrest
By Peter D'Oench at CBS4 Miami
· June 12, 2026
· 2 min read
The mother of a 17-year-old girl is speaking out exclusively to CBS News Miami after a $20 million lawsuit has been filed against her daughter's former private school after a security guard was charged with engaging in an unlawful sexual act with the teenager.The mother and her attorney, Bernardo Pi
Key takeaway Sylvester Lee James, 24, was arrested following a Feb.
Why this matters in The Miami
The lawsuit against My Life My Power Alpha Foundation Academies raises concerns about the safety and accountability of private schools in Miami-Dade County. As a hub for families from Latin American and Caribbean communities, Miami's private schools play a critical role in providing education and a sense of security for their students. The allegations against the security guard and the school's alleged failure to intervene despite warnings from students underscore the need for rigorous background checks and protocols to prevent such incidents. The fact that the student is now unable to return to school and is experiencing suicidal thoughts highlights the devastating impact of such incidents on victims and their families. As the case moves forward, it will be important to watch how the school and the county's education system respond to allegations of negligence and failure to protect students.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 12, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 2 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more The Miami stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The mother of a 17-year-old girl is speaking out exclusively to CBS News Miami after a $20 million lawsuit has been filed against her daughter's former private school after a security guard was charged with engaging in an unlawful sexual act with the teenager.The mother and her attorney, Bernardo Pi
When was this published? This article was first published on June 12, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Peter D'Oench at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter