COLQUITT COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) – Two people are facing serious charges in connection to the tragic drowning of an 8-year-old boy in a Colquitt County bathtub earlier this month.
According to the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), emergency crews responded to a 911 call in the early morning hours of July 8. The child was initially transported to Colquitt Regional Medical Center, then airlifted to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was later pronounced dead.
A joint investigation by CCSO and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was launched immediately. Authorities worked closely with medical teams, prosecutors, child welfare officials, and school staff to gather critical information and testimony.
Following a thorough review of medical records and interviews, two individuals were arrested:
Julie Shaylin Hurst – Charged with Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree
Jessie Dalton Hurst – Charged with Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree and Murder in the Second Degree
Both were taken into custody without incident and remain in the Colquitt County Jail.
“This case has deeply affected everyone involved,” said Sheriff Rod Howell. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our investigators and the GBI, we were able to uncover the truth and bring charges that reflect the seriousness of this tragedy.”
Authorities say the investigation remains active and ongoing.
