Amari Hall's death: Testimony continues on Thursday in Celeste Owens trial

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Testimony resumed today in the trial of Celeste Owens, a Gwinnett County woman accused of murder and child cruelty in connection with the death of 8-year-old Amari Hall. The tragic incident occurred in 2021, and Amari was the daughter of Owens' partner, Brittney Hall.

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Prosecutors allege that Owens killed Amari and attempted to cover up the crime. Testimony from a Gwinnett police detective revealed that investigators began suspecting foul play early in their search for the missing child. Owens' cell phone searches raised red flags, including queries about "what to do when a child doesn’t listen," "lakes near me," "how to report someone missing," and "how sewers on the street work."

Police believe Owens struck Amari, placed her body in trash bags, and initially claimed, along with Brittney Hall, that the girl had vanished from their extended-stay hotel. Amari’s younger sister testified earlier in the trial, describing the chilling moments leading up to her sister's death. She told the court that their mother placed toilet paper in Amari’s mouth and that the next day, Amari would not wake up.

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Authorities transitioned the case from a missing persons investigation to a homicide within 24 hours after Amari's disappearance was reported on Nov. 21, 2021. Detectives with the Special Victims Unit called in homicide investigators after determining that evidence pointed to foul play.

Testimony will continue this afternoon in Owens’ trial. Meanwhile, Brittney Hall is also facing murder charges and will be tried separately in Gwinnett County.