MISSING BABY, 11 MONTHS, FOUND DEAD HOURS LATER — 19-YEAR-OLD CAREGIVER CHARGED

Grayson Walton was reportedly left in the care of a 19-year-old while his father was at work. Hours after the baby was reported missing, police made a heartbreaking discovery.

A search for an 11-month-old Kentucky boy ended in tragedy after authorities found the baby dead just hours after his family reported him missing.

Grayson Walton, 11 months old, was last seen in Cleaton, Kentucky, a small Muhlenberg County community with a population of just 168, according to the 2020 census.

According to police, Grayson had been left in the care of 19-year-old Elijah Mayes while the baby’s father was at work.

What happened next quickly became the focus of a police investigation.

A STORY THAT DIDN’T ADD UP

Central City police said officers responded to a reported disturbance at a home on Harrison Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday.

Investigators spoke with Grayson’s father, who reportedly told them the baby was supposed to be with Mayes.

Mayes allegedly told investigators that a family friend had picked up Grayson around 10 p.m. Friday.

But when officers located that woman and questioned her, she reportedly denied ever picking up the baby.

Then another detail emerged.

A relative told investigators they had seen Mayes with Grayson on Friday in the 300 block of Hillview Street — roughly four miles from the location where officers had spoken with the baby’s father.

THE SEARCH TOOK A TRAGIC TURN

Police obtained a search warrant for the first residence and allegedly discovered methamphetamine inside.

Investigators then obtained a second warrant for another residence where Mayes was reportedly last seen with Grayson.

That search led to the discovery no family wanted to hear.

Grayson was found dead inside the home.

The baby had reportedly been missing since sometime during the early hours of Friday night, according to a woman who identified herself as Grayson’s aunt on Facebook.

By Sunday morning, the family learned that Grayson had been found.

But he would not be coming home.

19-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED

Mayes has since been arrested and charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and possession of methamphetamine, according to police.

Authorities have not publicly released all details surrounding the baby’s death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Police said additional information would be released when appropriate and as the investigation allows.

FAMILY ASKS PEOPLE NOT TO SPECULATE

As news of Grayson’s disappearance spread online, loved ones turned to social media for help and information.

But after the baby was found, family members urged people not to speculate about what happened.

The heartbreaking case has left a small Kentucky community searching for answers as investigators continue working to establish exactly what happened during the hours before Grayson’s disappearance.

For a family waiting for their baby to come home, the search ended with a devastating discovery.

Grayson Walton was only 11 months old.

The investigation is ongoing.