A mother from Georgia has admitted guilt in a murder case involving her eight-year-old daughter’s death in 2021, as per authorities’ confirmation on Wednesday.
Brittany Hall, aged 31, received a life sentence after being found guilty of felony murder, 11 counts of child cruelty, concealing a death, and making false statements, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office revealed.
Hall and her partner Celeste Owens, who was previously convicted of 20 charges and sentenced to life plus 235 years, were involved in mistreating Hall’s three children, leading to the death of one child. The deceased child, malnourished, was later found in a nearby wooded area.
The district attorney’s office confirmed that Hall and Owens reported the disappearance of eight-year-old Amari Hall on November 19, 2021. The couple claimed that Amari had gone missing from their hotel room while they were asleep.
Authorities grew suspicious of their account upon discovering evidence of child mistreatment. CCTV footage from the hotel room depicted the couple assaulting all three children, according to the district attorney’s office as reported by The Mirror US.
Further investigations revealed disturbing internet searches on Owens’ phone, including queries related to child discipline, nearby lakes, sewer systems, runaway children, missing person reports, and U-Haul services.
CCTV footage captured Owens renting a U-Haul truck and driving it to DeKalb County, where Amari’s body was subsequently located.
Reports indicated that Owens repeatedly struck Amari in the head, with Hall aiding in covering up the crime. A medical examiner testified that the girl weighed only 54 pounds at the time of her death and displayed signs of abuse, including a lacerated liver.
Dr. Jamie Downs stated in December, “Something struck the outside of Amari’s body and crushed her liver against her spine.” Gwinnett County crime scene investigator Kia Jimenez added details about the disposal of the body with bin bags and visible cuts on the arms.
Owens faced a total of 20 charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and child cruelty.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Sabrina Nizam described the case as the most distressing involving a child she had encountered, expressing profound impact from the trial’s evidence.
Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson commented on Hall’s sentencing, stating, “This mother failed to protect her children and joined in the abuse. This ended tragically.” She expressed hopes for the healing of the surviving siblings and extended family members following the plea deal.