Opa-locka is in a whole heap of trouble once again.

By sheer coincidence, the city is on the hook due to the criminal actions of a high ranking government official that we told you about in yesterday’s column.

Parks Director Zonya Ray was one of the star players in a sordid drama during 2024 when the current North Miami Beach City Manager held that title in Opa-locka.

In his scathing Whistleblower Complaint, Darvin Williams told how he discovered that Mrs. Ray had been covering up for a Parks employee who “was allowed to clock-in at the beginning of his shift and leave for the day,” by “digitally” entering his “punch out times” at the end of the day.  In essence, she aided and abetted his theft of tax dollars by allowing him to get paid without actually working.

When questioned by the Human Resources Director about her actions, Zonya Ray refused to even respond.

Instead of firing her in accordance with the recommendation of the HR Director, Mr. Williams chose to have her resign in order to save face and leave with dignity after 37 years on the job.  She refused to resign and caused so much trouble for Mr. Williams that he ended up getting fired before he could even deal with Zonya Ray.

As we all know, Karma has a way of taking care of business, and in this case she outdid herself.

Only a few hours ago, NBC6 reported, Opa-locka Parks director charged after child left alone in car 8+ hours, records show, and stated:

“The director of parks and recreation for the City of Opa-locka is facing a criminal citation after authorities said she left a 5-year-old child unattended inside a vehicle overnight for more than eight hours.

According to court records, Parks and Recreation Director Zonya Ray was cited in connection with the incident, which occurred on March 11.

Investigators said the child was discovered around 6 a.m. in the parking lot of an Opa-locka government building on 12950 Northwest 42nd Avenue.

Records indicate Ray had been transporting juveniles to a football practice and was unaware that the child had entered her vehicle.

Ray acknowledged she failed to inspect the vehicle before leaving for the night, and the child remained inside the vehicle until the following morning, when Ray realized the child was missing and returned to the parking lot, records showed.

Police cited Ray for leaving a child unattended in a vehicle with the engine turned off, stating that her actions demonstrated disregard for the child’s safety.”

Ya think?

This story makes even less sense than her clocking out an errant employee that regularly goes MIA.

For one thing, how is a city’s Parks Director “unaware” that a child “entered her vehicle?”  Did she leave her doors unlocked?  Was she drinking on the job or something?

For another, how did she suddenly realize that “the child was missing” the next morning?  What jogged her memory?

And finally, who did this kid belong to and why didn’t his parents notice he (or she) was gone overnight?

According to NBC6, “The city’s website still lists Ray as the director of parks and recreation.”

Why is this incompetent employee still in charge of Opa-locka’s children?

There are way more questions than answers here, but one thing we are perfectly clear about …

Darwin Williams was completely justified in getting Zonya Ray off the Opa-locka payroll when he was the City Manager.

Now the city officials who protected this woman’s job are complicit in this crime, and we suspect there will be a lot more fallout coming their way.

Maybe she should have stayed fired.

Just saying.

Stephanie