Noah Bush (GoFundMe) and the area where he drowned in May (WTOC)
Two children in Georgia were arrested this week in connection with the death of an 8-year-old boy who drowned earlier this year in a “borrow pit.” The juvenile defendants, ages 10 and 11, were taken into custody and charged with multiple crimes over the death of Noah Bush, authorities announced.
The 11-year-old child was charged with one count each of simple battery, involuntary manslaughter, concealing the death of another, and criminal trespass. The 10-year-old was charged with concealing the death of another and criminal trespass.
Under Georgia state law, the names of the minor defendants cannot be publicly released.
According to a report from Savannah, Georgia CBS affiliate WTOC, Noah was first reported missing by his family on May 15, 2024. The search for the child reportedly lasted about 11 hours before his body was discovered inside of a borrow pit at a local construction site on May 16.
A borrow pit is a hole dug in the ground to provide filling materials for construction projects.
In the immediate aftermath of the boy’s tragic drowning, local law enforcement authorities said their initial investigation did not produce evidence of foul play, specifically citing to the fact that he took his shoes off and was in the water where a “no trespassing” sign was displayed.
However, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office’s did emphasize that investigators were awaiting the results of an autopsy report. That report, which was provided to the sheriff’s office on Monday, determined that Noah’s manner of death was homicide and the cause of death was drowning.
“This finding was based on the fact that one of the two juveniles whom were with Noah pushed him into the deep portion of the borrow pit they were wading in,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release provided to Savannah ABC affiliate WJCL.
Wayne County Sheriff Robert E. “Chuck” Moseley confirmed to Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB that investigators believe the 11-year-old pushed Noah.
Attorneys representing Noah’s family reportedly confirmed that Noah knew both of the boys he was with that evening, saying the boy “thought they were friends and trustworthy.” They indicated that the juvenile defendants may have gotten into an argument with Noah and intentionally held his head underwater.
The attorneys also reportedly said they believe that there were adults who attempted to conceal the crime.
“The adults who helped to conceal and obstruct the investigation, and who instead of telling the truth became co-participants in this tragedy need to be held accountable,” the attorneys said, per WSB. “The adults involved lied. We won’t stop until you’re held accountable for your actions.”
Noah’s family, which has reportedly led multiple demonstrations seeking justice for Noah in the 55 days since his body was discovered, echoed the sentiment of the attorneys.
“The whole entire tragedy has been tough on my family. I just want to say thank you so much to the community. If it weren’t for you standing by my side helping me to continue on; to push for justice. We wouldn’t have gotten as far as we have,” Demetrice Bush, Noah’s mother, said, adding, “There will be no peace until justice is served.”
A GoFundMe for Noah’s family has raised more than $10,000 and can be found here.
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