Police charge boyfriend Dustin Putnal in death of Polk County toddler

POLK COUNTY, GA -  The Polk County Police Department have charged 27-year-old Dustin Drew Putnal in the death and sexual abuse of toddler Ella Grayce Pointer.  

Officers responded to a 911 call around 2:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28 for a baby not breathing in an apartment in Cedartown, Ga. EMS arrived shortly and started CPR on the 21-month-old girl.

The toddler was transported by ambulance to Polk Medical Center in Cedartown in critical condition, and later airlifted to Egleston Children's Healthcare of Atlanta—where, upon examination, it was first noticed that she had possibly been sexually assaulted and had severe head trauma.

”They worked on her, carried her to the hospital... continued to work on her and that's when they told us that she had sustained major brain injuries. Major organ injuries. Sexual abuse," said Joy Shell, Pointer’s grandmother.

Pointer died in the hospital two days later on Oct. 30.

Police said two men were with the child at the time of the incident including Putnal. He was taken into custody at the time for violation of his probation. He will now face charges of murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated child molestation, aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated sexual battery and felony cruelty to children.

Ella's mother, Shellby Gaer, said she and Ella had been living with her boyfriend Dustin Putnal and his roommate. She said she left Ella with Putnal, which she has done before, when she went to work at her oveight job.

"At 10:30 I went to work and she told me bye and she loved me and that was the last thing," said Gaer.

"It’s not fair, it’s just not fair," she said tearfully.

The community came together on social media using the hashtag #JusticeforElla.

Ella Grayce via Dylan Cody Eaves Facebook

Dustin Putnal mug shot (WGCL)

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