The Miami dolphins team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

The Miami dolphins team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

April 23, 2025 – Miami, Florida

In an unfolding crisis that has stunned the sports world, multiple parents have filed a lawsuit against the Miami Dolphins organization, alleging negligence and misconduct related to the mysterious disappearance of several youth athletes affiliated with the team’s developmental programs.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Miami-Dade County Court, accuses the Dolphins of failing to protect and account for at least five players between the ages of 14 and 17 who were participating in the team’s youth training and mentorship initiative, known as the “Dolphins Next Gen Academy.”

According to legal filings, the players were last seen during a team-sanctioned off-site retreat in early March, and their whereabouts remain unknown despite repeated inquiries and police involvement.

PARENTS SPEAK OUT

“We put our trust in the Dolphins to guide and care for our sons,” said Carla Jennings, the mother of 15-year-old Elijah Jennings, one of the missing players. “Now we’re left with nothing but questions, silence, and an unbearable fear.”

Parents allege that the team delayed notifying them of their children’s absence, failed to provide clear itineraries or chaperone records, and ignored early red flags brought up by concerned families.

“We kept getting brushed off,” said Derrick Mays, whose son Jordan was also reported missing. “They told us everything was under control. But how could everything be under control if our kids weren’t even where they were supposed to be?”

The parents are demanding full accountability, monetary damages, and an independent investigation into the Dolphins’ handling of youth operations.

THE MISSING

According to the complaint and confirmed by law enforcement, the five boys had traveled with Dolphins-affiliated staff to a retreat center in Ocala, Florida, for a week-long leadership and training camp. The program, part of the NFL’s youth outreach efforts, was designed to “develop athletic and personal excellence” among promising teen athletes.

The boys — identified by initials E.J., J.M., T.S., K.W., and L.P. — were reportedly last seen the evening of March 4. Their cellphones were found powered off in their cabins, and none have used banking or social media services since their disappearance.

Initial investigations by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were opened on March 6, but families claim they were not informed until days later — a delay they say could have been critical.

THE DOLPHINS RESPOND

In a statement released Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins organization expressed “profound concern” for the missing players and pledged full cooperation with authorities.

“The safety and welfare of all youth participants in our programs is our highest priority,” the statement read. “We are heartbroken by these reports and are working closely with law enforcement agencies to assist in locating the missing individuals. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”

Team officials say the off-site camp was organized by a third-party vendor contracted through the Dolphins’ community outreach department, but parents argue that the ultimate responsibility lies with the franchise that sponsored and endorsed the program.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

The Miami-Dade Police Department, in conjunction with the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), has launched a multi-agency investigation into the disappearances. Officials say they are exploring all possibilities, including abduction, trafficking, and foul play.

“We are treating this case with the highest level of urgency,” said FBI Special Agent Cheryl Daniels. “Every resource is being deployed to bring these boys home.”

Authorities have interviewed over 30 staff and participants who were present at the retreat and are currently analyzing GPS data, surveillance footage, and personal belongings for clues.

So far, no suspects have been named, and investigators have not ruled out any scenarios.

COMMUNITY SHOCKED

News of the missing athletes has sent shockwaves through the local community and the national sports scene. The Dolphins’ Next Gen Academy had long been viewed as a model initiative for developing young talent and keeping at-risk youth engaged in positive activities.

“This is more than a legal issue — it’s a moral one,” said Dr. Elena Vega, a child welfare advocate in Miami. “Parents entrusted their children to a program that promised safety, structure, and opportunity. Now those children are gone, and someone must answer for that.”

Vigils have been held across South Florida in support of the missing boys, with community members lighting candles, sharing photos, and praying for their safe return.

“I don’t even know these kids personally, but as a mother, I feel the pain,” said resident Ana Rodriguez. “This should never happen — not on our watch.”

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

Legal experts say the lawsuit could set a precedent for how professional sports organizations are held accountable for youth programming.

“This is uncharted territory,” said attorney Michael Stratham, a sports law professor at the University of Miami. “If negligence or mismanagement can be proven, the Dolphins could face significant financial penalties and potentially criminal scrutiny for any role they played — directly or indirectly — in the disappearances.”

In addition to financial compensation, the lawsuit seeks a full audit of the Dolphins’ youth programs, including hiring practices, supervision procedures, and third-party partnerships.

WHERE THINGS STAND

As of today, search efforts remain ongoing, with multiple agencies involved in ground searches, data forensics, and interviews. Officials are asking the public to come forward with any information related to the boys’ last known location or associates.

A tip line has been set up at 1-800-FIND-KID, and a $100,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the safe return of the missing youths.

For now, the Miami Dolphins remain under intense public and legal scrutiny, with their reputation on the line and five young lives still unaccounted for.