A Georgia mother who killed her two young sons by placing them in an oven in 2017 has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Lamora Williams, now 30, was convicted on Friday, Nov. 15, of murder, aggravated assault, cruelty to children, and other charges, according to reports from Fox 5 Atlanta and WSB-TV.
The tragic case unfolded in October 2017 when Williams, then 24, called 911, claiming she had discovered her sons, Ja’Karter Penn, 1, and Ke’Yaunte Penn, 2, dead after allegedly leaving them with a caregiver. Atlanta police responded to the scene and found the boys with severe burn marks, sparking an investigation.
However, prosecutors revealed that Williams had fabricated the caregiver story. Evidence showed she had placed the children in an oven either the night before or early that morning. Autopsy reports indicated that the boys died after “prolonged exposure to heat” from an overturned oven. According to WKRC, the reports stated the process required “an extensive amount of time.”
After the murders, Williams contacted the children’s father, Jameel Penn, via video chat. Penn later described the horrifying moment to WSB-TV: “It was like a real horror movie. It was Friday the 13th.” He added, “When I saw my kid, how I saw my kid, that’s when I knew what was going on.”
Penn also recounted to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the moment he realized the unthinkable had occurred: “After I seen what I seen, you know I called the police.”
Throughout the trial, prosecutors highlighted the deliberate and prolonged nature of the crime. The conviction and subsequent life sentence bring closure to a case that shocked the Atlanta community and drew national attention.
Lamora Williams’ defense team reportedly argued mental health issues played a role in the crime, but this did not sway the court. Williams now faces life behind bars for the devastating loss of her two sons.
The case serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of children and the lasting impact of such horrific acts on families and communities. For Jameel Penn, the haunting memories remain. His heartbreaking statement underscores the unimaginable nature of the crime that took his children’s lives.