A 1-year-old’s family said they think she may have been murdered after she was left at home with two men, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Polk County police say Ella Grayce Pointer was found unresponsive in an apartment in Cedartown about 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The toddler was given CPR and taken to Polk County Medical Center, then flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, where she died.

Police are waiting for autopsy results and hospital records until they reveal an official cause of death.

#justiceforEllaGrayce my heart goes out to you and your family . if there is anything i can do just let me know. love yall

Posted by Mark Gattis on Sunday, October 30, 2016

overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true">;

But according to Channel 2, family members say the toddler had a fractured skull, internal bleeding and signs of sexual abuse.

The family said Ella’s mother left her with her boyfriend, Dustin D. Putnal, and a roommate while she went to work. The men were questioned in connection with the case.

Putnal, 27, was arrested, but for a violation of his current probation conditions, police said. He was previously arrested on drug and theft charges.

Ella’s death sparked #JusticeforEllaGrayce on Facebook, with users sending prayers to the family and wondering what happened to the toddler.

Polk County police released a statement saying they have four investigators working on the case and that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Children cool off in a splash fountain in Atlanta's historic Fourth Ward Park on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The forecast for the Fourth of July and the holiday weekend calls for hot days with drier air. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC