Illinois authorities who are investigating the death of Damari Perry, 6, have filed charges against the boy’s mother as well as two of his siblings.
Damari had been reported missing on Jan. 5. And on Saturday, his body was found in an alley in Gary, Indiana.
Damari’s mother, Jannie M. Perry, 38, is charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death, and obstructing justice in relation to her son’s death, according to a statement from the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors also charged Jeremiah R. Perry, Damari’s 20-year-old brother, with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death, and obstructing justice.
“Another juvenile sibling of Damari faces charges in Lake County’s Juvenile Court,” reads the statement, noting that “all three were taken into custody Friday night.”
The statement alleges Jannie and Jeremiah Perry reported Damari missing, informing police he was last seen in Skokie, Ill. However, “investigators quickly turned their focus to the boy’s home in North Chicago, after the family’s story was contradicted by evidence in Skokie,” reads the statement.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart characterized the Skokie story as “completely false.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-state investigation into Damari’s disappearance and by Friday night, investigators zeroed in on the missing boy’s mother and siblings.
“Information from witnesses led to the discovery of Damari’s body in Lake County, Indiana,” the statement reads.
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Officials have yet to say how Damari was killed.
But during a hearing Sunday, prosecutors alleged Damari “did something to upset [his] family” on Dec. 29. As punishment, prosecutors allege family members put Damari in the shower. At some point, the boy vomited and was removed from the shower.
Prosecutors said the young boy eventually died, and that relatives never sought medical treatment for him.
“Our hearts ache over the murder of 6-year-old Damari Perry,” said Rinehart in the statement.
A GoFundMe campaign has been since been created by Damari’s father and all proceeds will help cover the child’s burial costs. The GoFundMe description read in part: “My step father is now left to plan a funeral for his youngest child as well as raise his other children as a full time single father due to unforeseen circumstances. Anything helps, prayer the most.”
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