Funeral Arrangements Set for 2-Year-Old Arkansas Girl Who Died After Being Beaten
The heart of a small Arkansas community is broken this week as they prepare to say goodbye to 2-year-old Amara Jackson, a bright-eyed toddler whose life was tragically cut short. The child’s death—caused by severe physical abuse—has not only devastated her family but also sparked outrage, sorrow, and a call for justice throughout the state and beyond.
Amara’s short life will be honored in a funeral service scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. at New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Her burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, with family and close friends expected to attend in deep mourning. The service will include music, prayer, a eulogy from a family pastor, and a release of white balloons in her memory.
A Community in Shock
Amara was pronounced dead on July 2, after being rushed to Jefferson Regional Medical Center with multiple injuries. Hospital staff immediately recognized the signs of prolonged abuse and contacted law enforcement. The details released by the Pine Bluff Police Department are horrifying: Amara had visible bruising on her back, legs, and arms, and internal injuries consistent with blunt-force trauma.
Police have confirmed that Amara’s mother’s boyfriend, 26-year-old DeShawn Thomas, has been arrested and charged with capital murder and first-degree battery. He is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Detention Center.
According to investigators, Thomas was left to babysit Amara while her mother, who has not been publicly named, was at work. When she returned home and found her daughter unconscious, she called 911. But it was too late.
Neighbors are stunned. “She was always smiling, always waving,” said Marie Caldwell, a woman who lived two doors down. “You’d see her outside playing with her little tricycle or running to catch the ice cream truck. No child deserves this. No parent should ever have to bury their baby.”
A Mother’s Grief
Sources close to the family say Amara’s mother is “beyond devastated,” struggling with the dual agony of losing her child and coming to terms with what may have happened under her own roof. Family members have started a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses, which reached over $15,000 within 48 hours. The page is filled with heartbreaking messages:
“Fly high, sweet baby. May you find peace in heaven.”
“We failed you. The system failed you. I’m so sorry, little one.”
In a brief statement issued through her pastor, Amara’s mother said:
“My heart is gone. Amara was my sunshine. I never imagined I’d be picking out a coffin for my baby. Please remember her for the joy she brought, not the way she left.”
A Troubling Pattern
Sadly, Amara’s story is not unique. In the past year alone, Arkansas has reported multiple child abuse cases that have turned fatal. According to the Arkansas Department of Human Services, child maltreatment deaths have increased by 13% compared to the previous year. Many of these cases involved children under five, and in over half, the abuse was inflicted by a caregiver or family acquaintance.
“This case is every social worker’s nightmare,” said Angela Ridgemont, a child advocacy expert in Little Rock. “We work so hard to educate, to intervene, to protect—but we can’t be everywhere. This is why community vigilance is crucial. If you suspect a child is being harmed, report it.”
Justice for Amara
DeShawn Thomas is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment next Monday. Prosecutors have indicated they will pursue the death penalty if convicted. According to the probable cause affidavit, Thomas initially denied harming the child but later admitted to “losing his temper” when she wouldn’t stop crying. The account has only fueled the outrage on social media.
Thousands have taken to platforms like Facebook and TikTok using the hashtag #JusticeForAmara, calling for swifter punishments for child abusers and more stringent vetting of live-in partners and caregivers.
A candlelight vigil will be held Friday evening outside the Jefferson County Courthouse, where mourners plan to leave teddy bears, notes, and flowers.
Remembering Amara
Despite her short life, Amara left an indelible mark on those who knew her. Family members describe her as a “bubbly, fearless, and affectionate little girl” who loved coloring books, peanut butter sandwiches, and dancing to her favorite song, “Baby Shark.” She was learning to count to ten and was particularly fond of the number eight, saying it with extra emphasis and pride.
Her grandmother, Loretta Johnson, shared a memory:
“She’d climb into my lap and grab my cheeks with both hands. ‘I love you this much,’ she’d say, spreading her arms wide like the whole world. Now my world is empty without her.”
Amara had just celebrated her second birthday in May with a Minnie Mouse cake and a small backyard party. No one could have imagined that just weeks later, that same yard would be filled with mourners and memorial candles.
A Call for Change
In the wake of Amara’s death, child protection advocates are renewing calls for better screening systems for known abusers, increased public education on recognizing abuse, and stronger consequences for those who hurt children.
“We owe it to Amara to not let her story be forgotten,” said Rev. Elijah Brooks, who will officiate her funeral. “Let her be a wake-up call to every adult, every neighbor, every lawmaker. If we want to honor her, we must protect those who can’t protect themselves.”
Final Goodbye
On Saturday morning, the small white casket will be carried by pallbearers dressed in pink — Amara’s favorite color. Her stuffed elephant, “Jelly,” will be placed inside with her. The eulogy will reflect on her short but meaningful life and the promise of a future that will never be fulfilled.
The church is expecting a large turnout — not just from Pine Bluff, but from across the state, as people come together to mourn a child most never met but will never forget.
Conclusion
Amara Jackson’s death is a tragic reminder of how fragile and precious life is, especially for our youngest and most vulnerable. As her community gathers to honor her memory, her story serves as both a painful loss and a powerful call to action.
In the words of her grieving aunt:
“She was only two. She never had a chance to grow, to learn, to love. But in her short time, she showed us what pure joy looks like. Now it’s up to us to make sure her life wasn’t in vain.”
