The mother and two siblings of a 6-year-old North Chicago boy have been charged in connection with his death after investigators found his body Saturday in Gary, Indiana.
Damari Perry was initially reported missing on Wednesday afternoon, and his family said that he disappeared after a man and a woman drove him and his 16-year-old sister to a party in Skokie the night before, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
The sister reportedly said she fell asleep after having several drinks at the party, and her brother and the man were gone when she woke up.
That story, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office said Saturday afternoon, was “completely false,” WBBM reported.
North Chicago police announced the discovery of Damari’s body Saturday morning and said that three members of his family “believed to be responsible for Damari’s death” had been taken into custody. No further information was available until the state’s attorney’s office issued a statement Saturday afternoon.
Prosecutors said evidence turned up by the investigation contradicted the story told by the boy’s family, prompting detectives to focus on the boy’s home. After that, they said, information from witnesses led 70 miles away to Gary, where the boy’s body was found near an abandoned home.
Damari’s mother, 38-year-old Jannie Perry, has been charged with first degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death, and obstructing justice. Jeremiah R. Perry, 20, faces charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death, and obstructing justice. A juvenile sibling also faces charges, in Lake County Juvenile Court.
North Chicago Police said Saturday morning that three adults had been taken into custody related to Damari’s death, but prosecutors corrected that to two adults and a juvenile.
All three suspects are expected in court for a bond hearing Sunday morning.
Authorities said that more charges could be filed after the Lake County, Indiana, Coroner’s Office completes its autopsy on Monday.
Police said earlier that other juvenile members of the family in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services.
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[Featured image: Damari Perry/North Chicago Police Department]
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