Homestead Mother, Son Charged After 8-Year-Old Reports Belt Abuse, Shoelace Restraint

Homestead Mother and Son Face Child Abuse Charges After 8-Year-Old Reports Harm

Homestead Police arrested Rebecca Bouie, 37, and Jamaury Elijah Benoit, 19, on Monday after an 8-year-old girl reported being subjected to abuse. The child, whose identity is being withheld to protect her privacy, told authorities at school that her mother and brother hit her with a belt and that her brother bound her with shoelaces.

This incident highlights the critical role schools play in identifying and reporting potential child abuse, providing a safe avenue for children to disclose harm. The charges against Bouie and Benoit underscore the community's commitment to protecting its most vulnerable residents.

Homestead Police Respond to Child Abuse Allegations

Homestead Police Department officers took Bouie and Benoit into custody on Monday, September 20, 2026. The arrest followed a report from the 8-year-old victim, who disclosed the abuse while at school. The child's account led to an immediate investigation into the living conditions and treatment within the home.

Details of the Abuse Reported by Victim

The 8-year-old victim told police that both her mother, Rebecca Bouie, and her brother, Jamaury Elijah Benoit, hit her with a belt. The child specified that the strikes occurred on her arms, legs, and abdomen. An arrest report noted that the victim had multiple healed patterned markings on these areas, consistent with being struck with a belt. Furthermore, the child reported that Benoit would bind her wrists and ankles together with shoelaces, leaving her in that state for at least an hour.

Prior Restraining Order and Mother's Involvement

Investigators discovered that Benoit had a history of child abuse involving the same victim. In January, Benoit was arrested for child abuse, resulting in a non-expiring stay away order that prohibited him from having any contact with the child. Despite this active court order, Rebecca Bouie allegedly allowed Benoit back into the home where the victim also resided. This action forms a significant part of the charges against Bouie.

Current Charges and Jail Status

Rebecca Bouie faces felony charges of child abuse with no great bodily harm and child neglect with no great bodily harm. Jamaury Elijah Benoit was charged with a felony count of aggravated child abuse or torture with great bodily harm and a misdemeanor charge of violation of a domestic violence injunction. As of Thursday morning, September 17, 2026, both Bouie and Benoit were held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Bouie's bond was set at $5,000, while Benoit's bond was listed as "to be set." The legal proceedings will continue to unfold in the coming weeks as the community awaits further updates on this distressing case.