Gwinnett County Mother Pleads Guilty to Murdering 5-Year-Old Son

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced that 23-year-old Azaria Shante Burton of Peachtree Corners has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in connection with the October 2023 death of her 5-year-old son, Jayveon Pruitt. The charges include malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault family violence, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, first-degree arson, criminal attempt to commit a felony, and misdemeanor tampering with evidence.

According to investigators, Burton fatally stabbed her son before attempting to cover up the crime by setting fire to her apartment. She later told investigators she was pregnant and facing eviction at the time, and that she devised a plan to kill her son due to the stresses of life.

Jayveon’s body was discovered after firefighters responded to the burning apartment. The boy had been stabbed 22 times.

Burton has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 5 years.