Couple accused of murdering child

By Robbie Schwartz

A Walton County couple has been charged with murder following the recent death of their 6-year-old adopted son.

Jami Lea Jones, 36, and Louis David Jones, 39, both of 4930 Bay Creek Church Road, have been denied bond and remain in the Walton County Jail on charges of aggravated battery, cruelty to children and murder.

On Christmas Eve, emergency medical personnel were called to the home about 6 p.m. following reports of an unresponsive child. Shortly after EMS personnel arrived, a request was made for Walton County Sheriff’s Office investigators on the scene.

“Based on evidence and the physical appearance of the child, foul play was suspected,” WCSO Chief Deputy Bruce Wright said.

The child was transported to Walton Regional Medical Center where, at some point, it was determined the child needed to be transported to Egleston Children’s Hospital, according to reports. The child was airlifted to the Atlanta hospital in critical condition and died late Monday morning.

WCSO detectives interviewed both parents and executed a search warrant on the home and, according to Wright, based on the evidence at the scene and interviews with the parents, they were arrested about 10 p.m. the night of the incident. The initial charges were aggravated battery and cruelty to children.

The murder charge was filed Monday, he said.

Wright said they would not release any details on the condition of the child, citing an ongoing investigation and awaiting the results of an autopsy performed Tuesday.

There were five other children at the home, all of which were removed by Department of Family and Children Services, according to reports.