A Georgia mother has pleaded guilty to the murder of her 8-year-old daughter, bringing to an end a case that shocked Gwinnett County. Brittany Hall, 31, was sentenced to life in prison after admitting guilt to felony murder, 11 counts of child cruelty, concealing a death, and making false statements, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Hall’s partner, Celeste Owens, was convicted in December on 20 counts, including malice murder, and received a sentence of life plus 235 years. Authorities said both women abused Hall’s three children, leading to the death of Amari Hall. The girl’s malnourished body was found in nearby woods.
On November 19, 2021, Hall and Owens reported Amari missing from the hotel where they lived with Hall’s three children. They claimed the child was gone when they woke up. Investigators soon doubted their story after finding surveillance footage showing the couple beating the children inside the room, according to Atlanta News First.
Authorities also uncovered disturbing searches on Owens’ phone, including “What to do when a child doesn’t listen,” “Lakes near me,” “How do sewers on the streets work,” and “How do I report someone missing.” Further evidence showed Owens rented a U-Haul truck and drove it to DeKalb County, where Amari’s body was later discovered.
Prosecutors said Owens struck Amari multiple times in the head, while Hall helped cover up the crime. A medical examiner testified during Owens’ trial that Amari weighed just 54 pounds at the time of her death and suffered a lacerated liver. “Something hit the outside of Amari’s body and crushed her liver against her spine,” Dr. Jamie Downs told jurors in December.
Crime scene investigator Kia Jimenez described how the child’s body was found. “She was located with three white-colored trash bags around her body… tied with a black colored rope,” Jimenez testified. “You could still see her body through some of the trash bags. She wasn’t fully covered. She did have lacerations on her arms.”
Owens’ convictions included murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and child cruelty. Prosecutors said the evidence in the case was among the most disturbing they had ever seen. “The images that we have seen we will never be able to unsee… it is by far the worst case involving a child I have ever seen,” said Sabrina Nizam, deputy chief assistant district attorney.
District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson added, “This mother failed to protect her children and joined in the abuse. This ended tragically. We continue to pray that her siblings can heal from the abuse they endured and that this plea brings closure to them and their extended family.”