An eight-year-old boy, Noah Bush, drowned in Wayne County, Georgia, leading to the sentencing of two boys, aged 10 and 11. The case has sparked conversation regarding the juvenile justice system and potential racial implications.
On May 15, 2024, Noah Bush was reported missing after he went into a restricted construction site along with the two older boys. His body was discovered the following day in a water-filled borrow pit, a type of excavation site used to extract construction materials.
The 11-year-old boy, whose identity is withheld due to his age, confessed to coaxing Noah to the pit, pushing him into the water, and keeping his head submerged until he drowned. The incident was initially deemed accidental, but the confession led to the boy being charged with involuntary manslaughter, simple battery, concealing a death, and criminal trespass. He was given the maximum sentence for a juvenile in Georgia on August 22, 2024: two years in a detention facility.
The 10-year-old boy, also implicated in the concealment of Noah’s death, received a similar two-year detention sentence on July 12, 2024, in Wayne County Juvenile Court.
Francys Johnson, the family attorney, stated, “This 11-year-old admitted under oath that he led Noah Bush to the clay pits, pushed him into the water, and ultimately held his head under until he drowned.”
Demetrice Bush, Noah’s mother, and the rest of the Bush family have expressed their dissatisfaction with the sentences. They believe the punishment is inadequate and fails to provide justice for Noah’s death. They are questioning the justice system in Georgia for considering such a sentence as fair.
The family has pointed out a potential racial motivation for the crime, as Noah, a Black child, was killed by two White boys. Their belief in this racial element is guiding their pursuit for further legal action. Attorney Mawuli Mel Davis emphasized that the legal process is ongoing, and that adults involved in deceiving the family must be held accountable. The investigation into adults’ involvement, especially the 11-year-old’s mother, Natalie Hardison, is still underway. She faces charges of probation violation and making false statements, although these charges are not directly related to Noah’s death.
A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by Noah’s second-grade teacher, Gracie Yoder, has generated over $15,000 to assist the family with expenses. Despite the sentencing, the Bush family continues their quest for justice.
