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Amari Hall's death: Testimony begins in trial for woman accused of killing 8-year-old girl

By Alexa Liacko
Published  December 11, 2024 5:51pm EST
Gwinnett County
FOX 5 Atlanta

Amari Hall murder: Little sister's emotional testimony

Testimony began in the trial of Celeste Owens of Gwinnett County, accused of murdering her girlfriend's 8-year-old daughter, Amari Hall. The girl's mother, Brittany Hall, reported her missing in November 2021. Her body was found days later in the woods. Amari's younger sister took the stand Wednesday.

The Brief

    • Testimony began in the trial of Celeste Owens, who is accused of murdering 8-year-old Amari Hall, her girlfriend’s daughter, in 2021.
    • Police presented videos found on Owens’ phone that showed physical abuse of Amari and her siblings by both Owens and Brittany Hall.
    • Amari’s younger sister testified that their mother, Brittany Hall, placed toilet paper in Amari’s mouth the night before her death and later disposed of her body.
    • An autopsy revealed that Amari suffered fractured ribs, internal bleeding, malnourishment, and was diagnosed with Battered Child Syndrome.
    • Brittany Hall, who is accused of long-term abuse that contributed to her daughter’s death, will face her own murder trial after Owens' case concludes.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Testimony began on Wednesday in the trial of a Gwinnett County woman accused of killing an 8-year-old girl in 2021. Celeste Owens is facing charges for murdering Amari Hall, her girlfriend’s daughter, child cruelty and other charges.

The girl’s mother, Brittany Hall, reported Amari missing in November 2021. The 8-year-old's body was found days later dumped in the woods. In court Wednesday, police showed the jury multiple videos they found on Celeste Owens' phone. Police say the videos show the children being physically abused by Hall and Owens.

Amari Hall’s younger sister also took the stand to describe the last time she saw her sister alive. She said her mother, Brittany Hall, placed toilet paper in Amari's mouth and then the next day, "she wouldn't wake up."

The sister, who is now nine years old herself, said Brittany Hall, "tried to wake her up, and after that she got put in a container with a lid on it, and got put in the trunk of the car and drove to the bad kid's hospital."

Police say Owens hit 8-year-old Amari Hall over the head, killing her, and then put her body in trash bags. Police said both Hall and Owens claimed the girl disappeared from their extended stay hotel room.

Gwinnett County Police later found Amari’s body in a wooded area near Stone Mountain Freeway. After the discovery, investigators said Hall told them Owens killed Amari then transported her body in a rented U-Haul truck to where she was found.

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Police said inconsistencies between the women's initial statements led them to believe Owens was responsible.  Prosecutors said police also spoke with Amari’s then five- and six-year-old siblings, who reported their sister had been hurt by the women.

An autopsy revealed that Amari had several fractured ribs, internal bleeding, and signs of malnourishment. The coroner determined her cause of death as Battered Child Syndrome.

Owens pleaded not guilty. More family members are expected to testify Thursday. After this trial, Amari’s mother, Brittany Hall, will face her own murder trial. She is accused with long term abuse that eventually led to her daughter’s death. 

The Source: This story was compiled using court proceedings in the case and previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports.

Gwinnett CountyNewsCrime and Public Safety