Infant’s fentanyl death leads to murder charges against Appling mother and aunt

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 on February 29 at 2410 Jordan Drive in Appling, initially caught police attention due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.

According to reports from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, officers rushed to the home after receiving a 911 call about an unresponsive child. Mitra Ellzey, 31, the child’s mother, reported finding the baby, identified as Kinsley Jones, unconscious. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, emergency responders were unable to save Kinsley, who was then taken to Augusta University Medical Center.

Months later, on May 14, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) released a toxicology report with alarming results: Kinsley had illegal narcotics in her system, specifically fentanyl and xylazine. Forensic experts concluded that the amount of drugs present was lethal and determined that it was the cause of the infant’s death.

Further investigation of the apartment and its residents over several weeks led authorities to 37-year-old Deangela Belton, the child’s aunt, and Mitra Ellzey, who lived with her. Through interviews and the execution of search warrants, law enforcement determined both women were responsible for the presence of illegal narcotics in the apartment, authorities said.

Based on the evidence collected, including testimony and forensic analysis, the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office decided to charge both Belton and Ellzey with second-degree murder. At the time of the decision, Belton was already in custody on other charges, while Ellzey was arrested after the warrant was issued.

An obituary for Kinsley said she leaves behind her parents, Mitra Ellzey and Sherron Jones, and two sisters.

Meanwhile, authorities said Ellzey was involved in a drunk driving accident in Richmond County last week that left another child with a broken arm. She was cited for that single-vehicle accident.