A Florida city official had her misdemeanor case dismissed when the citing officer failed to appear in court. Zonya Ray, parks and recreation director in Opa-locka, faced charges after a child was left overnight in a city van in March.
Zonya Ray transported several children to football practice on March 10. The following morning, a 5-year-old was found alone in the locked van in a parking lot after spending more than eight hours inside.
Ray told police she did not check the vehicle before leaving for the night and did not realize the child had entered it. She received a citation on April 30 for leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle.
The case reached court on July 7. With the Opa-locka police officer absent, the charges were dismissed. Ray had been fired from her position earlier in June following the incident.