Death of 8-Year-Old Drowned in a Borrow Pit Ruled a Homicide
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The death of an 8-year-old Georgia boy, Noah Bush, has been ruled a homicide nearly two months after he was found underwater in a construction pit. Authorities have charged two boys, ages 11 and 10, in connection with the case.
Noah’s family had long questioned the circumstances of his death and fought for justice for 55 days. On Wednesday, they announced that Noah’s death had been officially ruled a homicide, as reported by WTOC. “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 on May 16 in a borrow pit, a site used for construction materials, near his home in Jesup after he went missing the evening before. Initially, authorities stated that Noah had drowned, and no foul play was suspected. However, Noah’s family and protesters in Wayne County demanded a more thorough investigation, believing it had been mishandled.
“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 had been waiting on Noah’s autopsy report, which they received on Monday. The report confirmed the absence of any injuries consistent with a “fight” or use of a weapon. The medical examiner ruled Noah’s cause of death as drowning but classified the manner of death as a homicide based on information discovered during the investigation.
Authorities have charged an 11-year-old and a 10-year-old boy in Noah’s death. Due to Georgia law, their names have not been released. The 11-year-old is accused of simple battery, involuntary manslaughter, concealing the death of another, and trespassing. The 10-year-old is charged with concealing the death of another and trespassing.
At a juvenile detention hearing, bonds were set at $10,000 and $5,000 for the boys. Johnson explained that Noah had walked away with two boys he knew and trusted, which tragically ended in an argument and his death. “He walked away with people he thought were his friends and trustworthy,” Johnson said. Authorities are continuing to investigate whether any adults had knowledge of or involvement in Noah’s death.
