Toddler's Death Ruled A Homicide

FORT WORTH, TX – After 3-year-old Amari Boone’s death was ruled a homicide, his mother claims she warned welfare workers that he was being abused by his court-appointed caregivers.

"He was amazing,” his mother Ariana George said. “He was the brightest spirit you have ever met. He was so tiny but had such a big personality. He was just an awesome kid and didn't deserve this at all.

According to NBC5, Amari was taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center on Friday morning with severe head trauma. All of his fingers and both of his arms were broken.

About a year ago Ariana George, Amari’s biological mother, lost custody of her son after she “she fell on hard times and became homeless.” 

Amari was sent to an aunt for a while, but when she could no longer care for him, a judge ordered Amari to live with two men who were friends of his parents.

After the friends gained custody of Amari, his mother began to notice Amari seemed to be frequently injured. Amari was taken to the hospital with a sprained ankle after he fell down some stairs.

Last month during a visit, George noticed what appeared to be new bruises and swollen lips and eyes. She documented the injuries and claims she told CPS and sent the pictures. 

"I gave it to my CPS caseworker. I gave it to her supervisor. And I gave it to my boy's lawyer,” George said.

Amari tragically passed away on Easter Sunday and his mother was allowed to be with him during his final hours. 

"I have to make sure my son rests in peace. I talk to him all the time and tell him that I"m here, I'm still here, I love you, I never left your side and I believed you from the jump and we're going to get justice for you."

His death is being investigated as a murder, but as of this time, no arrests have been made.

Ariana claims CPS failed her son and that he would still be alive if they had taken her complaint seriously.

"I think they failed. They failed miserably. Because I gave them the information they needed and the pictures that I have."

Ariana explained that she had stopped being homeless months ago and had tried to regain custody of her son she was turned down.

“They’ve not done a very good job of protecting my child,” she said.

CPS stated they are working with the Fort Worth Police to investigate who is responsible for the death of Amari, but refused to comment further until an internal investigation is completed.

"Before the children were allowed to live in that home, background checks and visits to the home were conducted," CPS said.

Cook Children Medical Center warned they have seen a spike in child abuse linked to "stresses from the COVID-19 pandemic."

The hospital reported in the last they have treated seven cases of severe abuse in children under the age of four with two of the children dying. Those numbers do not include Amari’s cases.