MISSING 11-MONTH-OLD BABY FOUND DEAD IN KENTUCKY — 19-YEAR-OLD CAREGIVER CHARGED WITH MURDER

Grayson Walton was supposed to be in the care of a 19-year-old while his father was at work. Hours after the baby was reported missing, investigators made a devastating discovery inside a Kentucky home.

A desperate search for an 11-month-old Kentucky baby ended in tragedy after little Grayson Walton was found dead inside a home in Cleaton.

Police have arrested 19-year-old Elijah Mayes, who they say had been caring for Grayson while the baby’s father was at work.

Mayes is now facing multiple charges, including murder. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not released details about what caused Grayson’s death.

A BABY REPORTED MISSING

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

According to investigators, Grayson’s father told officers that his 11-month-old son had been left in Mayes’ care while he was at work.

Mayes allegedly told police that a family friend had picked up the baby around 10 p.m. Friday.

But investigators located that person and were told that she had not picked up Grayson.

A relative then provided another crucial detail, telling police that Grayson had been seen with Mayes at a residence on Hillview Street in Cleaton.

SEARCH WARRANTS LEAD TO DEVASTATING DISCOVERY

Investigators obtained search warrants for properties connected to the investigation.

During a search of the Harrison Avenue residence, officers reported finding suspected methamphetamine.

Police then searched a home on Hillview Street — the location where a relative had reportedly last seen Grayson with Mayes.

Inside that home, investigators found the missing 11-month-old deceased.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed the circumstances or cause of Grayson’s death.

19-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED

Mayes was arrested and booked into the Muhlenberg County Detention Center.

He faces charges including:

• Murder
• First-degree criminal abuse
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Abuse of a corpse
• First-degree possession of a controlled substance involving methamphetamine

The charges are allegations, and the case remains pending.

POLICE CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION

The Central City Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and that additional information will be released when appropriate.

Multiple agencies have assisted investigators, including the Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, FBI, Madisonville Police Department, local fire departments and the county coroner’s office.

Police have also urged people not to speculate while investigators work to establish exactly what happened to Grayson.

For his family, the search that began with hope ended with an unimaginable loss.

An 11-month-old baby who was supposed to be safe in someone’s care is now at the center of a heartbreaking Kentucky investigation — and many questions remain unanswered.