Georgia 8-Year-Old Found Dead in Borrow Pit

A missing Georgia 8-year-old was found dead in a borrow pit after a massive hours-long search.

Noah Bush vanished from the Mill Creek Circle area of Wayne County on May 15. Officials learned of the child’s disappearance at 9:10 p.m., according to a timeline of events posted to Facebook by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

The first deputy arrived at the scene 12 minutes later. Deputies then shared the missing person’s identity with surrounding counties at 9:44 p.m.

Assistance from Georgia State Patrol was requested at 10:10 p.m. GSP also asked for help from their aviation team.

The Glynn County K9 unit also responded to assist at 10:49 p.m.

Authorities searched a family member’s Glynn County home and a location in Jesup, but the child was not found at either location.

The search continued through the night. A pair of children’s shoes were found by the Glynn County K9 unit near a body of water around 12:30 a.m. on May 16. The family confirmed the shoes belonged to Bush.

Bare footprints were also found.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fort Stewart assisted as the search entered its second day. Fort Stewart sent a Blackhawk helicopter.

Rescuers entered the water around 3:04 a.m., but they got out when a decision was made to use a pump to drain the waterway. After the pump had some difficulties, rescuers from the sheriff’s office and Wayne County Road Department went into the water around 8 a.m. and found Bush’s body within 15 minutes.

‘False information has diverted resources’

The sheriff’s office spoke out against people spreading rumors about Bush’s disappearance on social media.

“The spread of false information has diverted resources needed for this case,” the office said in a Facebook post.

The office said information about a second missing person located during the search is not true.

The detective on call for that night was at the scene the whole night and five more detectives came to the scene the next day.

A video claiming to show where the child was found is also false, the office said. The child was found in a different location than the one shown in the video.

The sheriff’s office is still investigating this case. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information should contact the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 912-427-5970.

Who is Noah Bush?

Bush was in second grade. His teacher, Gracie Yoder, set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the family.

“Noah was an intelligent, kind, and loving child,” Yoder said on the fundraiser’s page. “His light was radiant, and his smile was infectious. He loved playing football, basketball, gaming, and giving out infinite hugs. He will be missed so much, and this loss will leave a hole in so many hearts.”

Bush’s funeral will be on June 1 at 2 p.m. at the Unity Church of God in Jesup. T

here will also be a public viewing at the Community Chapel Funeral Home in Jesup on May 31 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.