Murder charge filed in death of Rome child

A 20-year-old Rome man has been charged with murder for the death of his girlfriend’s daughter, police said Wednesday.

David Zachary Gresham is accused of killing 3-year-old Gabriella “Ella” Camp, who died Thursday at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Gresham also is charged with aggravated battery, cruelty to children and reckless conduct, Lt. Gary Clayton with Rome police said.

Ella's injuries and death have been under investigation since Sept. 17, when she was taken to Floyd Medical Center suffering from severe head trauma and unresponsive, according to police. Hospital officials contacted police, and later that day the girl was flown to Scottish Rite. She died two days later.

Gresham was not at the hospital when police arrived, but was later located and arrested on a probation violation for an unrelated charge. He was being held Wednesday night without bond.

The GBI Crime Lab conducted Ella’s autopsy on Friday and Saturday, but a manner of death was not released, pending toxicology, histology, medical records and the police investigation, according to Floyd County Coroner Barry Henderson.

Hundreds in the community rallied to help Ella's family by selling T-shirts with her name across the front. Nearly 13,000 people joined the "Prayers for Ella" Facebook group.

The funeral for Ella was held Monday in Rome.

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