DeKalb County, GA – A Georgia mother, Brittany Hall, has pleaded guilty to the 2021 murder of her 8-year-old daughter, Amari Hall, who had autism. Hall, along with her girlfriend Celeste Owens, was convicted for the child’s death and sentenced to life in prison.
The Murder and Discovery of Amari Hall’s Body
Amari was reported missing on November 19, 2021, by Hall and Owens, who claimed to have discovered that Amari had disappeared while they were staying at a hotel in Norcross, Georgia. Authorities quickly issued public alerts and news releases, unaware that the missing child was actually dead.
The investigation later revealed the disturbing details: Hall and Owens had searched the web for phrases such as “What to do when a child just doesn’t listen,” “Lakes near me,” and “U-Haul: Customer Account,” indicating that they had planned to cover up the crime.
How the Crime Unfolded
Amari’s younger sister, who was 9 at the time, took the stand during Owens’ trial and testified about the horrifying details. The sister recalled how Hall had placed toilet paper in Amari’s mouth so she “wouldn’t wake up.” Afterward, Amari was placed in a container, and the body was transported in a trunk of a car before being dumped in a wooded area near the Stone Mountain Freeway.
Authorities found Amari’s body wrapped in three white trash bags, buried in a shallow grave off Stone Mille Drive in DeKalb County, Georgia.
Surveillance Footage and Evidence
Surveillance footage played during the trial showed Celeste Owens renting a U-Haul van and driving to the location where Amari’s body was found. Hall initially claimed that Owens was the one who killed Amari, but investigators determined that Hall and Owens had both been involved in the murder and subsequent cover-up.
The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office later confirmed that the crime had also involved the abuse of Amari’s two younger siblings, who were placed into state custody following the incident.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
On October 2025, Brittany Hall pleaded guilty to felony murder, 11 counts of cruelty to children, and other charges related to concealing Amari’s death. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson stated, “This mother failed to protect her children and joined in the abuse. This ended tragically.” She also expressed hope that the siblings could eventually heal from the trauma they endured.
Conclusion
This case highlights the horrific reality of child abuse and the devastating consequences of neglect and violence. As Brittany Hall begins her sentence, the victims’ family is left grappling with the aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy.
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