Second juvenile sentenced in drowning death of 8-year-old Noah Bush Victim’s mother speaks out on son’s death

Victim’s mother speaks out on son’s death

WAYNE COUNTY, GA  – An 11-year-old juvenile charged in the death of Noah Bush, an 8-year-old Wayne County boy who was found drowned in May, confessed to his role in the homicide. 

Atlanta Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the family, said the11-year-old confessed to pushing Noah into a clay pit filled with water and holding his head under water until he died.

The defendant was charged with Simple Battery, Involuntary Manslaughter, Concealing the Death of Another and Criminal Trespass. The judge sentenced the 11-year-old to the maximum penalty of two years in confinement. The judge also set a hearing in 30 days on restitution or damage owed to the family

Natalie Hardison, the mother of the 11-year-old, appeared via video during the hearing, Attorney Davis stated.  She is currently incarcerated for providing false information to the police during the investigation into Noah Bush’s death.

Last month, a 10-year-old juvenile also was charged in connection to Noah’s death. He also was sentenced to two years at the detention center. 

“Today, Demetrice Bush, the mother of Noah Bush, courageously testified during the sentencing of the 11-year child who killed her son. She stands on the shoulders of Mamie Till Bradley, Sybrina Fulton, Wanda Cooper-Jones, and so many other Black mothers whose beautiful Black sons were murdered by white people who disregarded their very humanity. We will continue to demand the adults involved to be brought to justice,” said Attorney Davis.

Davis stated in a news release that Demetrice Bush provided the following statement at the hearing: 

“There is no justice that can replace the life of my 8-year-old son Noah. There is no rationale for his tragic death. He was a little boy with dreams of becoming someone great and those dreams were snatched away senselessly. I’ve watched as other families have enjoyed the summer with their kids and thinking of all the fun and trips I had planned for my family; instead, our summer was spent grieving for a life that was taken too soon. Noah didn’t deserve to die. His death has almost destroyed our family, and our tears are the only thing that drown out the silence of his absence. I have always been a forgiving person. I taught my kids to be forgiving and kind, to show love, to not bully and to apologize when they are wrong. But I find myself here with no forgiveness in my heart for the defendant and his family. To constantly remember that he helped search for Noah knowing where he was and what he had done to him is just another devastating blow to my family. He took his life and never showed remorse for his actions. I feel he deserves life in prison, but the laws of Georgia make that impossible. Even though he knows right from wrong, even though he lied to keep himself out of trouble because he knew what he did was wrong, he’s treated as a victim when it’s my son who’s dead. I pray the court sentences him to the maximum that is allowed by law and restricted. Noah will never walk upon this Earth again and he deserves to be punished for it. Accountability is crucial, this child will offend again but Noah will never breathe, run, or play another sport ever again. And I feel he should lose every privilege in life that he stole from my son.” 

“The story they were told was that their son had accidentally drowned… they knew that was not true then and today the same was confirmed in Court as the 11-year juvenile confessed to this horrific homicide,” said Francys Johnson, who also represented the Bush family attorney.

“Noah Bush’s homicide appears to be racially motivated, and the adults responsible for promoting hate to their children may as well have held Noah underwater too,” said Johnson.  

“We are pressing for the adults who aided and abetted in this crime and coverup to be prosecuted as well.” 

Noah Bush was found dead in a borrow pit in Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia, on May 16th, 2024. Noah went missing the evening of May 15th and following an extensive search, his body was found after the borrow pit was drained. Initially, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department stated that there was no “foul play” and that Noah had “wandered” into the borrow pit and “drowned.” 

Noah Bush was described by his family and teachers as a bright, loving, and kind child who enjoyed playing basketball and had a smile that could light up a room.