First court appearance for accused killer

CUMMING - The accused killer of a 2-year-old Forsyth County toddler made his first court appearance today in the courtroom of Judge Walker Bramblett.

Christopher Brian Gilreath, 39, was formally charged with felony murder, aggravated battery and cruelty to children in the death of Joshua Pinckney.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Captain Frank Huggins said a GBI autopsy shows 2-year-old Joshua Pinkney was beaten to death, but so far they don't know what was used to kill the child.

Another child living in the home on Catalina Drive was placed in the custody of child protective services. The 2-year-old girl is believed to be the sister of the murder victim, although authorities said both children were adopted and they are unsure if they are blood relatives.

Gilreath was living with the children's mother at the time of the incident. Authorities said Gilreath was a convicted child molester from Pennsylvania who had failed to register with Georgia authorities.