2 children convicted of intentionally drowning boy; lawyer says death was racially motivated

WAYNE COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) – Two children have been convicted in the drowning death of another child in Georgia in May.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, 8-year-old Noah Bush was intentionally drowned on May 15, the day he was reported missing. Thanks to tracking dogs and search efforts, his body was found the next day.

Officials initially thought the man's death might have been an accident, but the autopsy revealed that it was murder.

According to official information, the two children accused of Noah's death are only 10 and 11 years old.

The 10-year-old has already been convicted in this case of covering up the death of another person and trespassing, but the exact sentence was not clear.

The eleven-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday. He was accused of assault, manslaughter, covering up the death of another person and trespassing.

The 11-year-old pleaded guilty to all four charges.

According to prosecutors, the 11-year-old admitted to leading Noah to clay pits, pushing him into the water and holding his head under water until he drowned.

“He left with people he believed were his friends and trustworthy,” said Francys Johnson, Noah's family attorney.

The 11-year-old child received the maximum sentence allowed under Georgia law of two years in prison.

However, Noah's family said the verdict was not sufficient.

“This is not justice,” said Noah's mother Demetrice Bush. “My baby was 8 years old and had a full life ahead of him. And two years [of confinement] is what the state of Georgia calls justice for an entire lost life.”

Johnson said the death was a result of adult hate instilled in him and he believes the crime was racially motivated.

“There are people who think like that. They fly flags in their yards, they put up signs, they go on Facebook. They do it in front of their children, as if their children wouldn't just see it. That's the consequence of not standing up against hate,” Johnson said.

Officials said no adult has been charged in the case, but Noah's family and attorneys said they wanted charges to be brought against adults they believe influenced the children.

The 11-year-old child's mother is behind bars on other charges unrelated to the case, including probation violation, officials said.

Johnson said Wednesday's court hearing was “the most heartbreaking hearing I have ever attended in my practice.”

Noah's mother said that the case is not yet closed for her, even though two of her children have since been convicted.

“For me there is no peace, no comfort, no closure,” she said through tears. “I will live with this for the rest of my life.”

The names of the children responsible for Noah's death have not been released. According to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Georgia law does not allow the names of minors to be released.

Noah was a second-grader at James E. Bacon Elementary School when he died. The Wayne County School System released a statement at the time saying:

“It is with deep sadness that the Wayne County School System family notes the passing of Noah Bush, a second-grader at James E. Bacon Elementary School. Noah was also a former student at Jesup Elementary School. As Noah was a Bacon Bee for several years, his passing will certainly have a significant impact on the students and staff of that school. For that reason, the school system had grief counselors on-site at JEB yesterday and will have them there again today to assist those who may need to speak to someone. Please pray for Noah's family during this difficult time and support them with love and compassion.”

Gracie Yoder, Noah's second-grade teacher, has set up a GoFundMe page to help Noah's family with expenses.

“Noah was a smart, kind and loving child. His light shone and his smile was contagious,” Yoder wrote on the page. “He loved playing soccer, basketball, computer games and giving endless hugs. He will be missed so much and this loss will leave a hole in so many hearts.”

Noah's family has also set up a second GoFundMe page that has raised over $100,000.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office declined to comment after the verdict was announced Wednesday.

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