Miami-Dade police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a 13-year-old boy in the restroom at a South Florida Metrorail station Friday afternoon.
The boy was on his way home from school about 3:30 p.m. when he got off the Metrorail train at the Allapattah Station and went into a restroom, investigators said.
Police said a man followed the boy into the restroom and sexually assaulted him.
The attack occurred during the day, when there are usually people around and when there is normally a security guard on duty, as well as security cameras.
Corenthia Hartfield, who takes the train every day, said she is concerned it is not safe anymore.
"Now I am getting a Taser," she said. "You just want your children to be safe, and it is crazy that mothers out here have to worry about their children just catching the train. That's crazy."
"It makes me nervous because you never know when it could happen to you one day," said Brian Herrera, who lives nearby.
Other commuters said they usually feel safe riding the trains during the day, but this incident has shaken them.
"Because if that is going on, I really don't want to use the restroom. I would rather hold it and go somewhere else," said Stephanie Garcia, who lives nearby.
"I'm 16, and I go to Miami Jackson. I don't want to hear that. It makes me feel like I can't use the public bathroom anymore. I will go home and use the restroom," said Donald Laurent, another resident.
Investigators are searching for the attacker, who is described as 30 to 40 years old with a heavy build, a dark complexion, a medium Afro and a short salt-and-pepper beard.
On Wednesday, detectives released a composite sketch of the man they believe is responsible for the crime.
Miami-Dade police said the attacker traveled south on the Metrorail from the Allapattah Station.
Surveillance video from the station showed the man who police said attacked the child walking in the Metrorail Station. In the video, he is seen walking on two different levels of the station wearing a light blue shirt and light blue jeans. Click here to watch the video.
"I just try to be really aware of my surroundings, especially on the train or on the platform," said Sami Siven, who uses the Metrorail. "I don't just look around for the train or looking at my phone the whole time."
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).