Bronze statue of young cancer victim recovered in Miami Lakes; man arrested for theft

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office detectives recovered a bronze memorial statue depicting 5-year-old Jakey Duque nearly a week after it vanished from a park bearing his name in Miami Lakes. The sculpture, valued at approximately $8,000, was reported stolen Saturday afternoon from the park located at Northwest 154th Street and 89th Avenue.

Detectives from the agency’s General Investigations Unit took control of the investigation after initial deputies responded to the scene. Following a tip received Wednesday regarding the statue’s whereabouts, officers with the sheriff’s Robbery Intervention Detail Team successfully located and retrieved the piece.

On Thursday, 27-year-old Derick Coca was apprehended while attempting to relocate the statue to an undisclosed location. He faces one count of third-degree grand theft and was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $2,500 bond as of Thursday. Authorities indicated they continue examining whether additional suspects participated in the theft.

Jakey died at age 5 following a battle with a rare cancer. His family established the memorial as a lasting tribute within the community, intended to reflect the child’s resilience and fortitude. Residents expressed relief at the statue’s return, describing it as a symbol of life’s fragility and its profound importance to both the Duque family and their neighborhood.