2 boys charged after 8-year-old’s drowning death ruled a homicide
WAYNE COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) - The death of an 8-year-old Georgia boy has been ruled a homicide nearly two months after he was found underwater in a construction pit. Authorities say two boys, ages 11 and 10, are facing charges in the case.
The family of 8-year-old Noah Bush always had questions about his death, and for 55 days, they have been fighting for justice and pleading for answers. The family announced Wednesday that Noah’s death has been ruled a homicide, WTOC reports.
“I just want to thank the community. If it weren’t for you standing by my side to fight for justice, we wouldn’t have gotten here,” said Demetrice Bush, Noah’s mother.
Noah was found dead May 16 in a borrow pit, which is used for construction materials, not far from his house in Jesup after he went missing the evening before. Authorities initially said the 8-year-old drowned, and no foul play was suspected.
Noah’s family and protesters in Wayne County demanded answers, saying the investigation had been botched.
“The story they were told was that their son accidentally drowned. They knew that was not true then, and today, we confirm the same,” said Francys Johnson, the Bush family lawyer.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said in its initial report that it was waiting on Noah’s autopsy. It received the autopsy report Monday, which confirmed the absence of any injuries to the 8-year-old’s body consistent with a “fight” or use of a weapon.
A medical examiner ruled Noah’s cause of death as drowning. Due to information discovered during the investigation, his manner of death was ruled as homicide.
Authorities say an 11-year-old and a 10-year-old boy are facing charges in Noah’s death. Their names have not been released, per Georgia law.
The 11-year old is accused of simple battery, involuntary manslaughter, concealing the death of another and tresing. The 10-year-old is accused of concealing the death of another and tresing.
At a juvenile detention hearing, the boys’ bonds were set for $10,000 and $5,000.
Johnson says Noah walked away with two boys he knew and thought he could trust. It’s believed that turned into an argument that ended in tragedy.
“He walked away with people he thought were his friends and trustworthy,” Johnson said.
Authorities say they are still investigating if any adults had knowledge of or involvement in Noah’s death.
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