‘He said he had the best mom ever:’ Family says no sign of danger before 6-year-old stabbed to death

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County mother is facing malice murder charges, accused of stabbing her 6-year-old son to death before setting their apartment on fire Thursday.

Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson confirmed on Monday afternoon that police filed charges against 23-year-old Azaria Burton.

She faces seven felony charges stemming from the death of her 6-year-old son, Jayveon Pruitt, according to arrest warrants. She remains in jail without bond.

“When I talked to him, he was always happy,” Chasity Brown, Pruitt’s paternal grandmother told Johnson on Monday for Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m. “This tore my family up.”

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Brown said she spoke to her grandson Wednesday night while he carved pumpkins with his mother. He would have turned 7 in November, according to family, and Brown was looking forward to spending the birthday with him in their home state of Mississippi.

“He was just telling me that his birthday was going to be with me,” said Brown. “He was just so precious. He loved his mom. He loved his dad. He even said he had the best mom ever.”

On Thursday morning, Gwinnett County firefighters discovered Pruitt with multiple stab wounds inside an apartment on Springs Lane in Peachtree Corners. He was rushed to a hospital but didn’t survive.

The same morning, police found his mother behind the building with wet clothes and only wearing one sock, according to police. She was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into the Gwinnett County Jail Friday night.

“Everything was so normal,” Brown said. “Because we just talked to him Wednesday.”

TRENDING STORIES

• Georgia Supreme Court sends abortion ban case back to Fulton Superior Court, law remains in effect
• 2 drivers accused of hitting grandmother crossing busy Brookhaven street, leaving her to die
• Family claims 21-year-old died after drinking caffeinated lemonade at Panera, files lawsuit

Police haven’t released a motive for the murder.

According to court records, Burton was behind on her rent and was facing eviction. She has a pending court case that began last month with the property management at 3500 The Vine Apartments.

Brown says she could have helped Burton and her grandson if she knew there were issues or that he was in danger.

“We’re a phone call away,” she said. “She knows if nobody helped her, she knows we would.”

Now the family is fighting for justice and answers while they plan to bring Jayveon’s body back to Mississippi for a funeral.

“I really wish she would just let us know why and give us some closure,” she said.

6-year-old boy dead after being stabbed, found in burning apartment, police say

©2023 Cox Media Group