Two Juvenile Arrested in Homicide of Jesup Boy Who Drowned

Two Juvenile Arrested in Homicide of Jesup Boy Who Drowned

Arrests have been made in the drowning death of an eight-year-old boy from Jesup, Georgia, who went missing on May 16, 2024. The body of Noah Bush, a second-grade student at James E. Bacon Elementary School, was found the following day in a construction pit where he tragically drowned.

Initially ruled an accidental drowning, further investigation prompted authorities to classify the case as a homicide. Noah’s parents, concerned about the circumstances, noted that their son had a fear of deep water and would not have willingly entered the pit. They subsequently hired a private investigator and legal counsel to seek clarity.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted interviews with witnesses present at the time. On July 10, 2024, the attorneys disclosed that the autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death, with homicide as the manner.

Wayne County Sheriff Robert E. “Chuck” Moseley announced the arrests of two juvenile males, aged 10 and 11. The older juvenile has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, simple battery, criminal trespass, and concealing the death of another. The younger juvenile faces charges of criminal trespass and concealing the death of another.

The identities of the suspects have not been disclosed, but authorities believe that Noah knew them. The family’s attorneys stated, “He walked away with people he thought were friends and trustworthy.”