It took 55 days to confirm what Noah Bush’s family had known for weeks. His death was not an accident, as authorities initially insisted.
Now, the family of the 8-year-old Georgia boy who drowned in a construction pit in May is calling for more arrests and a deeper investigation into the child’s death, which has been ruled a homicide, his lawyer said.
Two boys, ages 10 and 11, were arrested and charged with Noah’s death. But the family’s attorney, Francys Johnson, said the Bushes are calling for the arrest of any adults who may have played a role in covering up the boys’ actions and criticized the sheriff’s department, which for weeks claimed Noah’s death was an accident. .
Noah was found dead on May 16, the day after he disappeared, in a water-filled borrow well near his home in Jesup, Georgia, authorities and Johnson said. A borrow pit is an area where materials such as earth or soil have been excavated for use elsewhere.
He was last seen hanging out with a 10-year-old boy, who he had known for a few months and considered a friend, and an 11-year-old boy he had met that day, Johnson said.
“At some point, they pressured Noah to go to the loan pit,” said Johnson, who met with the district attorney and examined the evidence.
“It’s a deep place, similar to a canyon. And in low places the water fills up, like water the size of a swimming pool”, he said, adding that the area is in “total abandonment”, with broken fences and gates, allowing people access.
Johnson said an argument occurred between the boys and he “was pushed into the water by the older youth.”
The sheriff’s department said at the time that his death was an accident and that no foul play was involved. But family members disputed that finding, arguing that Noah was afraid of water and wouldn’t have gone near it, according to NBC affiliate First Coast News. Hundreds of people protested the department’s findings days after Noah’s death.
“She always believed there was more to it,” Johnson said of Noah’s mother. “I don’t know if I can remember anyone who has regretted being right more.”
The sheriff’s office reversed course nearly two months after the boy was found dead, saying in a news release that Noah’s death was ruled a homicide after it was discovered during the investigation that one of the boys “pushed him to the side.” deeper part of the loan.” pit they were entering. The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Noah’s autopsy.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Johnson’s allegations.
The two boys were arrested July 10 in connection with Noah’s drowning, the sheriff’s department said in a statement. The 11-year-old was charged with manslaughter, simple assault, concealing the death of another person and criminal trespass, while the 10-year-old is charged with concealing the death of another person and criminal trespass. The boys have not been named publicly because of their age.
Natalie Hardison, mother of one of the boys, was also arrested July 10 on felony charges of making false statements, as well as felony probation and truancy, both misdemeanors, according to the sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Mike Hargrove of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said Hardison “lied” about her whereabouts at one point in the investigation. Hardison has remained jailed since his arrest, according to the sheriff’s office website. There is no attorney listed for her in court records.
The boys’ arrests came 55 days after Noah’s body was found.
“The sheriff received statements from these boys 48 hours after Noah drowned. So to let this mother be led to believe this was an accidental drowning for so long and not inform the community is very difficult,” Johnson said.
Noah “was the true center of his family’s joy” and “full of life,” Johnson told NBC News. Her death left Noah’s mother, Demetrice Bush, heartbroken and searching for answers, he said.
Johnson described the area as a “close-knit” but impoverished mobile home community.
“Noah’s family didn’t have a lot of resources, but neither do the people accused of his manslaughter,” Johnson said.
Noahs’ mother believes the sheriff’s office almost ignored her son’s death as a homicide and was critical of the way the sheriff’s office handled the investigation, Johnson said.
“She believes that ultimately her son didn’t matter to them,” he said.
Noah was black. Johnson said the two boys arrested are white.
The sheriff’s department did not respond to NBC News’ questions about the family’s allegations.
“There may be other people involved in hiding the actions of 10- and 11-year-old children and everyone involved in that, who participated in these crimes, must be held accountable,” Johnson said.
But he said the family is grateful to the local prosecutor for deciding that the two boys and one of their mothers should face charges. The district attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit said he does not comment on pending cases.
Hargrove said the investigation is ongoing.
“It’s still open and we’re still investigating,” he said.
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
