In a case that highlighted a pattern of abuse, a Waleska man, Gregory Farrell Davis Jr., was entrusted with the care of 1-year-old James 'Jamie' Marco Palacio while the child's mother was at work. The events that unfolded on April 28, 2021, led to the tragic death of the young boy and the eventual conviction of Davis. Authorities were called to a home in Waleska following a 911 call about an unresponsive baby.
The child, Jamie, was found to have suffered severe injuries, including
traumatic head and neck injuries, a fractured spine, and a fractured rib. Medical experts determined these injuries were consistent with the baby being shaken. Two days after being hospitalized, the 1-year-old was declared brain dead. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as traumatic injuries to the head, neck, and torso, ruling it a homicide. During the investigation and subsequent trial, it was revealed that the baby had also suffered a previous skull fracture while in Davis's care, along with other healing fractures to his vertebrae and ribs, indicating a history of abuse.
Gregory Farrell Davis Jr., who was 27 at the time of his conviction, was the only person with the child when the fatal injuries occurred. In May 2025, a Cherokee County jury found him guilty of malice murder, felony murder, four counts of first-degree cruelty to children, and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers. The jury deliberated for only an hour before reaching their verdict. Following his conviction, in June 2025, Davis was sentenced to the maximum penalty in Georgia: life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 60 years.
The child's mother, Amber Lynn Ellis, 27, of Canton, was also charged in connection with her son's death. She faced two counts of second-degree cruelty to children. In May, Ellis entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison followed by probation. During Davis's sentencing, a family member of the young victim remembered him as a joyful and playful child who deserved to be loved and cared for.
