A Georgia mother has been arrested on murder and arson charges after her 5-year-old son was found with multiple stab wounds during a house fire. The incident occurred on October 19 in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. Firefighters responding to the fire discovered the unresponsive boy, identified as Jayveon Pruitt, inside the apartment. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead.
The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) announced on Tuesday that Jayveon’s mother, 23-year-old A’zaria Shante Burton, has been arrested and faces several charges, including murder, first-degree arson, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, and first-degree cruelty to children. Burton is currently held without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail.
While the GCPD initially listed Jayveon’s age as 6, his father, Daquarius Pruitt, clarified that the boy was 5 years old at the time of his death and was a few weeks away from his sixth birthday. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of Jayveon’s death.
Authorities received a 911 call about the fire from a resident in the building. Firefighters who entered the apartment found Jayveon with stab wounds. The boy was the only person inside the home during the fire. GCPD launched a criminal investigation and later found Burton behind the apartment building. She was taken into custody at the scene.
The motive for the stabbing and the fire is still under investigation. Jayveon’s family expressed shock and disbelief, describing him as an energetic and loving child. The father, Daquarius Pruitt, said he was struggling to understand what happened, as Burton had always taken care of their son.
The GCPD has not provided further details, and it remains unclear if Burton has retained an attorney.
