BABY GRAYSON, 11 MONTHS, FOUND DEAD JUST HOURS AFTER HE WAS REPORTED MISSING — TEEN ‘BABYSITTER’ CHARGED WITH MURDER

An 11-month-old Kentucky boy was found dead after his family reported him missing — and police say the teenager who had been caring for him initially gave investigators an account that was contradicted by the person he named.

A desperate search for 11-month-old Grayson Walton ended in heartbreak after police found the baby dead inside a home in Cleaton, Kentucky, just hours after his disappearance was reported.

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

Mayes has since been arrested and charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and possession of a controlled substance. The charges are allegations, and the investigation remains ongoing.

THE BABY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE CARE OF A 19-YEAR-OLD

According to Central City Police, officers responded to a reported disturbance at a home on Harrison Avenue in Cleaton shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday.

There, investigators spoke with Grayson’s father.

He told police that his 11-month-old son was supposed to be with Mayes while he was at work.

Investigators then questioned Mayes.

Police say he told them that a family friend had picked Grayson up at around 10 p.m. on Friday night.

But investigators quickly checked that account.

The woman Mayes identified was located and interviewed — and police say she told them she had not picked up Grayson.

A RELATIVE REPORTED SEEING GRAYSON WITH MAYES

As detectives continued piecing together the baby’s movements, a relative provided another crucial detail.

The relative reportedly told investigators that Grayson had been seen with Mayes on Friday at a residence on Hillview Street, around four miles from the location where police had initially spoken with the baby’s father.

That information helped direct investigators toward another property.

Police then obtained additional search warrants.

SEARCHES OF TWO HOMES LED TO A DEVASTATING DISCOVERY

Investigators searched the Harrison Avenue property and a vehicle connected to it.

Police say they found suspected methamphetamine inside the home.

A second search warrant was then obtained for the Hillview Street residence, where investigators believed Grayson had last been seen with Mayes.

Inside that home, police discovered the baby.

Grayson was dead.

Authorities have not publicly released details about how the infant died.

MAYES NOW FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES

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
• Possession of a controlled substance

Police have stressed that the investigation is still active and that additional information may be released as detectives continue their work.

Investigators also worked with the FBI during the search for Grayson, according to local reporting.

A SMALL KENTUCKY COMMUNITY LEFT HEARTBROKEN

Cleaton is a tiny community in Muhlenberg County, with a population of just 168 people, according to the 2020 census.

News of Grayson’s disappearance quickly spread through the community as relatives and loved ones appealed for information.

After the devastating discovery, family members urged people online not to speculate about what had happened while authorities continued their investigation.

For Grayson’s loved ones, the search that began with hope ended with an unimaginable loss.

The investigation into what happened to the 11-month-old remains ongoing.

And as detectives continue working to establish the full circumstances surrounding his death, one thing is certain:

A little boy who should have been safe in someone’s care is now at the center of a heartbreaking Kentucky investigation.