A suburban Chicago mother will serve decades in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of her 6-year-old son, prosecutors said.
Jannie Perry, 42, was sentenced Thursday to 45 years in prison for the murder of her son, Damari Perry, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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Perry pleaded guilty on December 4, 2025, to one count of first-degree murder, according to prosecutors.
Two North Chicago police detectives spoke at the sentencing hearing. They stated Damari’s family reported her missing in January 2022. As the inquiry proceeded, authorities discovered that the family’s account was falsified.
After interviewing witnesses, detectives discovered that on December 30, 2021, Damari pulled food from the garbage, infuriating Perry and others in the household, according to prosecutors.
Damari was punished by being placed in a cold shower, after which she fell unconscious. Prosecutors said no one in the home sought medical attention.
Detectives said that relatives drove the boy’s body to Indiana, burned it, and left it near an abandoned garage.
A witness then pointed investigators to the body’s location.
Damari’s father provided a victim impact statement, describing his son as “a strong, sweet, and loving little boy who only wanted to be loved by those around him.”
Prosecutors contended that the killing was not an accident, but rather part of Perry’s history of abuse.
Damari appeared hungry and had a patch of missing hair, according to video footage given in court. Prosecutors also displayed text conversations in which Perry allegedly called her kid “ugly” and stated she was “tired” of him.
Authorities have not revealed any other information regarding the incident or Perry’s other relatives.
Prosecutors said Perry received the maximum 45-year sentence and must serve it in full.
