Jannie Perry, 42, from North Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty last week to first-degree murder in the death of her 6-year-old son, Damari Perry, who died on December 30, 2021—the day after his birthday—from prolonged exposure to cold water in a shower as punishment.​
Prosecutors stated that Perry, her then-20-year-old son Jeremiah Perry (now 24), and another minor child devised a plan to punish Damari severely for an unspecified incident on December 29. The boy was forced into the cold shower until he vomited, lost consciousness, and died from hypothermia that night at their home on North Sheridan Road; the family failed to seek medical help and instead covered up the death.​
After waiting over a week, the family falsely reported Damari missing to Skokie police on January 5, 2022, claiming he might be at a party. In reality, Jeremiah allegedly burned the body and dumped the remains in a Gary, Indiana, neighborhood near an abandoned home, where it was later found.​
As part of the plea deal, charges like dismembering a human body, conspiracy, and abuse of a corpse were dropped against Jannie, who faces up to 45 years when sentenced on January 30, 2026. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart described the act as a “calculated plan” and “brutal and heinous,” noting the cover-up demonstrated intent. Jeremiah’s case remains ongoing, with him facing similar serious charges.​
This tragedy, involving a child previously in foster care whom Perry regained custody of in 2017, highlights severe failures in child protection and the dangers of extreme corporal punishment.
