Norcross mother sentenced to life in prison for beating death of 8-year-old daughter
Prison fence. Grid fence with barbed wire against sunset. Barbed wire. Security measures for prisoners in prison.

Norcross mother sentenced to life in prison for beating death of 8-year-old daughter

Posted by
1 min read
September 25, 2025

NORCROSS, GA – A Gwinnett County mother has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of her 8-year-old daughter, bringing a tragic 2021 case to a close.

Prosecutors said Brittany Nicole Hall, 31, entered guilty pleas to felony murder, 11 counts of cruelty to children, concealing the death of another, and making false statements in connection with the death of her daughter, Amari Hall.

Hall and her girlfriend, Celeste Owens, initially reported Amari missing on Nov. 19, 2021, telling police the child had disappeared from the hotel where the couple lived with Amari and her two younger siblings. Investigators soon discovered inconsistencies in their account and uncovered evidence of abuse against all three children.

A search of Owens’ phone revealed disturbing internet searches on the day of the report, including phrases like “What to do when a child just doesn’t listen” and “Lakes near me.” Investigators also found nanny-cam footage showing repeated beatings of the children.

Surveillance video showed Owens renting a U-Haul, which was later traced to a wooded area in DeKalb County where Amari’s body was discovered.

Owens was convicted in December on charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and child cruelty. She was sentenced to life plus 235 years.

“This mother failed to protect her children and joined in the abuse,” Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “This ended tragically. We continue to pray that her siblings can heal from the abuse they endured and that this plea brings closure to them and their extended family.”

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Sabrina Nizam and Assistant District Attorney Aspen Talley with assistance from Gwinnett County Police.


Key Points

  • Brittany Nicole Hall, 31, pled guilty in the 2021 murder of her daughter Amari Hall.
  • She was sentenced to life in prison on charges including murder and child cruelty.
  • Co-defendant Celeste Owens was previously sentenced to life plus 235 years.

A grim chapter of abuse and deception closed with a life sentence in Norcross.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version