ATLANTA — Earlier this week, a grand jury indicted an Atlanta father for the murder of his 2-year-old son last year.
Artavious North's indictment came down on May 17 with the following charges:
- Murder
- Felony Murder
- Cruelty to children in the first degree
- Concealing the death of another
- Abandonment of a dead body
In August of last year, toddler J'Asiah Mitchell was first reported missing. North initially reported the child kidnapped in a robbery attempt, only for DeKalb County police to determine that it had never happened.
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A dayslong search led to the discovery of the toddler's remains in the landfill on Aug. 23. J'Asiah's remains were positively identified more than a week later on Thursday.
North was first arrested before J'Asiah's body was found on false reports of a crime and false statements. The search effort spanned from the Decatur area, where North first reported the kidnapping and robbery, to an East Point apartment complex where the father had been staying. Police then drained a pond as part of the search effort, later leading to a landfill site in Griffin, where they found his body.
"He's a very sweet baby. He's a good baby, he's very smart," J'Asiah's mom previously told 11Alive.
North, who had also been wanted out of Carroll County for an unrelated crime, was previously denied bond in a magistrate court appearance.
Remembering J'Asiah
In an obituary shared with 11Alive, his family described the toddler as having a “big, beautiful smile” and “joyous energy.” He loved his scooter, playing basketball, dancing and loved to eat - especially chicken.
Friends and family gathered back in September to honor the young boy's life.
A pastor at the church where the service took place described to 11Alive how the pews were full of the toddler’s friends at the funeral.
J'Asiah's friends were comforted by Paw Patrol, one of his favorite cartoon characters, and given the teddy bears collected during the service.
Doves were released when the family came outside and children’s songs played from a speaker as the hearse drove off. Members of the community have supported the family by making donations through Willie Watkins Funeral Home.
