A Chicago woman, who was accused of killing her 6-year-old son last month by allegedly “punishing” with a freezing shower, was being held Wednesday on a $5 million bond on charges.
The 38-year-old mother, Jannie M. Perry, appeared in court for the first time since the gruesome murder on Wednesday after the body of her 6-year-old son, Damari Perry, was found in front of an abandoned house in Gary, Indiana, early Saturday morning, FOX 32 in Chicago reported. Since Saturday, Perry had been in a hospital after complaining she was sick.
Damari’s 20-year-old brother, Jeremiah R. Perry, has also been charged in the case, and an underage sibling has also been arrested.
Jannie Perry is facing first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice charges, the outlet reported.
Prosecutors allege Damari’s mother and two other relatives forced the boy into the freezing shower as punishment on Dec. 30 until he became violently ill and passed out. They didn’t even call 911 or try to help the boy. Damari’s body was then disposed of, and he was later found by investigators naked and wrapped in a plastic trash bag, the station reported.
A coroner determined Damari died of hypothermia and said some of his organs were partially frozen while part of his body was “charred.”
Jeremiah Perry is also accused of discussing where to dump Damari’s body with Jannie Perry.
On Jan. 5, Jannie Perry reported her son missing and initially claimed he was last seen at a party on Jan. 4 with his teenage sister in Skokie, Illinois. The mother claimed that Damari’s sister, 16, had fallen asleep drunk at the party, and by the time she woke up, Damari and one of her male friends were gone. Police later determined the story was a lie.
Jannie Perry is scheduled to be back in court in February, according to FOX 32.
