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Mother of Jamarion Lawhorn convicted of child abuse

Posted at 5:08 PM, Sep 18, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-18 17:08:58-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Anita Lawhorn was found guilty Friday of third-degree child abuse against her son Jamarion Lawhorn.

Jamarion Lawhorn, 13, is the youngest person ever convicted of murder in Kent County.   Jamarion was convicted earlier this month of killing Connor Verkerke, 9, on a Kentwood playground in July 2014.

He invoked the 5th Amendment during the trial and did not testify against his mother.

Stories of abuse and neglect of the 13-year-old  were the focus of the defense in the murder case.   Jamarion’s stepfather pleaded guilty to child abuse last October.

Anita Lawhorn will be sentenced Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.