James Anthony Morris Jr., 34, pleaded guilty April 30 to child abuse after allegedly locking a 10-year-old girl in a Subway back room in Jacksonville when she stepped on a freshly mopped floor. He was sentenced to three years of probation, ordered to pay $769 in fees, and was credited for time served on a two-day jail term. The court ordered substance abuse and mental health evaluations, follow-up treatment as needed, and imposed a no-contact order with the victim and her family.
Subway Manager Pleads Guilty After Locking 10-Year-Old In Back Room; Receives Probation
James Anthony Morris JrCredit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
James Anthony Morris Jr., 34, of Jacksonville pleaded guilty on April 30 to a child abuse charge after locking a 10-year-old girl in a Subway back room when she stepped on a freshly mopped floor. He was sentenced to three years of probation, ordered to pay $769 in court fees and credited with time served for a two-day jail term.
What Happened
The incident occurred in July 2025 at a Subway on the 9000 block of Argyle Forest Boulevard in Jacksonville. According to the arrest and booking report obtained by PEOPLE, the child and her mother had just ordered sandwiches when the girl accidentally stepped on a wet, recently mopped area of the floor. When the mother told her daughter to apologize, Morris Jr. allegedly grabbed the girl by the hand and escorted her to a locked back room.
The mother tried to open the door and says Morris Jr. pushed it closed and held it shut as she struggled and screamed for help. A witness assisted the mother, the child slipped free and ran to safety, and 911 was called. The booking report states Morris Jr. held the girl against her will for "upwards of two minutes" before she was freed.
Court Outcome And Orders
In Duval County Circuit Court, Morris Jr. received three years of probation and was ordered to pay $769 in court fees. The judge credited him for time already served and imposed a two-day jail term that has been satisfied. He must undergo a substance abuse evaluation, a mental health evaluation and any recommended follow-up treatment, and a no-contact order bars him from contacting the victim or her family.
Additional Details
Officials said the victim and Morris Jr. did not know each other before the incident and the child reported no sexual advances. Morris Jr. was arrested July 21, 2025, and booked July 22 on a bond of $5,003. The case file cited statements from the victim, her mother and a witness who described Morris Jr. as "acting weird" and believed the child had been in danger.
Note: The facts above are based on court documents and the arrest report obtained by PEOPLE.
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