1/8/2022- 6:39 p.m.
The mother of a missing 6-year-old boy who was found dead in Gary, Indiana Saturday has been charged with his murder, according to police. Two of the boy’s siblings have also been charged with hiding his body.
The body of 6-year-old Damari Perry was found Friday night near an abandoned home on Van Buren Street, just off 7th Avenue in Gary, according to police.
Three family members were taken into custody in connection with his death.
Damari’s mother, 38-year-old Jannie M. Perry, has been charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicide and obstruction of justice, Lake County (IN) prosecutors announced Saturday afternoon.
Jeremiah R. Perry, the boy’s 20-year-old brother, has also been charged with aggravated battery, concealing a homicide and obstruction of justice. A third family member, only identified as a juvenile sibling, is also facing charges, officials said.
The family initially provided information to police indicating that Damari might be missing in Skokie, but investigators said they quickly turned their focus to the boy’s home in North Chicago after the family’s story was contradicted by evidence.
“I’m lost, man. I feel like I lost a part of myself when I got that call,” said the young boy’s father, Dalvin Driver.
North Chicago police initially said Damari’s disappearance came after the boy and his sister were allegedly driven to a party in Skokie. Now, investigators say that story from family members was not true.
“[It’s] been like a nightmare that ended yesterday when they told me my son wasn’t coming home,” Driver said.
Now, Driver prays for justice to come as he plans to lay his youngest child to rest.
“I just wish he was still here,” Driver said. “I only had a little time to spend with my baby, man. I wish that I had more. Basically, I just wish he was still here.”
