Women accused of killing 8-year-old girl face judge, arrest warrants show history of abuse

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Two women accused of killing a child and trying to cover it up faced a judge Wednesday morning.

The body of Nicole “Amari” Hall, 8, was found on Tuesday. She was missing for more than 48 hours.

The girl’s mother Brittany Hall and her partner Celeste Owens made their first court appearance. Hall is charged with concealing her daughter’s death and Owens is charged with felony murder.

Amari’s body was found in this wooded area in front of a subdivision after a massive two-day search.

Police said the investigation transitioned from a missing person’s case to a homicide case after inconsistencies in the women’s statements.

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A Gwinnett County judge appointed both women an attorney Wednesday. Both were denied bond, with the judge saying they are a danger to people.

“On the misdemeanor, there’s a $2,950 bond. There is no bond on the felonies,” the judge told the women during the hearing.

Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway obtained the women’s multiple arrest warrants for their child cruelty charges.

Before Amari was killed, the warrant said her mother punched and kicked her several times. It also said Owens slapped Amari in the face.

Owens allegedly stomped on and kicked another little girl in her back. The warrants show the abuse only got worse from there.

The warrants indicate most of the incidents were recorded on video.

RELATED NEWS:

Police find body of missing 8-year-old, mother’s partner to be charged with murder Amari Hall disappeared from an Extended Stay Hotel in Gwinnett County on Sunday night.

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