The tragic death of a 13-month-old girl has led to murder charges against the child’s mother and aunt in Columbia County.
The incident, which occurred at 2410 Jordan Drive in Appling on Feb. 29, initially drew attention from law enforcement due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
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According to reports from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the residence after receiving a distressing call about an unresponsive child. Mitra Ellzey, 31, the child’s mother, had reported finding the baby, identified as Kinsley Jones, unconscious. Despite efforts to revive the child, emergency medical services were unable to save Kinsley, who was subsequently rushed to Augusta University Medical Center.
Months later, on May 14, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) released a toxicology report revealing alarming findings: Kinsley had illegal narcotics, specifically Fentanyl and Xylazine, in her system. Forensic experts concluded that the amount of drugs present was lethal and determined it to be the cause of the infant’s death.
Further investigation into the residence and its occupants, conducted over several weeks, pointed authorities toward 37-year-old Deangela Belton, the child’s aunt, and Mitra Ellzey, who was living with her. Through interviews and the execution of search warrants, law enforcement established that both women were responsible for the presence of illegal narcotics in the home, authorities said.
Based on the evidence gathered, including statements and forensic analysis, the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office made the decision to pursue charges of murder in the second degree against both Belton and Ellzey. At the time of the decision, Belton was already in custody on unrelated charges, while Ellzey was apprehended following the issuance of the warrant.
A report narrative provides more information on the initial call:
An obituary for Kinsley said she was survived by her parents Mitra Ellzey and Sherron Jones as well as two sisters.
Meanwhile, authorities say Ellzey was involved in a DUI wreck last week in Richmond County in which another child suffered a broken arm. She was cited in that single-vehicle wreck.
