11-MONTH-OLD BABY FOUND DEAD INSIDE COUCH AS BABYSITTER FACES MURDER CHARGE

A Kentucky community is mourning the death of an 11-month-old boy after his body was discovered inside a couch, while the teenager accused of caring for him faces murder and other charges.

Grayson Walton, who was just weeks away from his first birthday, was reported missing after his father returned from work on Saturday, September 12.

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

What followed became a major criminal investigation that ended with officers discovering the infant’s body inside a home in Cleaton, Muhlenberg County.

BABY REPORTED MISSING AFTER FATHER RETURNS FROM WORK

According to police and court documents, officers were called to a property in Central City shortly after 5 p.m. on September 12 after Grayson’s father reported that his son was missing.

Mayes allegedly told investigators that a family friend had picked Grayson up at around 10 p.m. the previous night.

Police subsequently located and interviewed the woman Mayes had identified.

According to investigators, she said she had not picked up the child.

A relative also told police that Grayson had last been seen with Mayes at a home on Hillview Street in nearby Cleaton.

Investigators then obtained search warrants for properties connected to the investigation.

BODY DISCOVERED INSIDE A COUCH

During a search of the Cleaton home, officers made a devastating discovery.

Police say they found Grayson’s body inside a couch.

A criminal citation obtained by local media states that the baby had bruises on his body and what appeared to be teeth marks on his stomach. These details are allegations contained in police documents and have not been independently established at trial.

Investigators also allege that Mayes attempted to create an explanation for Grayson’s disappearance.

According to the citation, police say he created a fake phone number and sent messages to himself while pretending to be the person to whom he had supposedly given the baby. Investigators believe the messages were intended to support an alibi.

The exact cause and manner of Grayson’s death have not been publicly established in the sources reviewed.

BABYSITTER FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES

Mayes, of Central City, was arrested and charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and first-degree possession of a controlled substance involving methamphetamine.

He pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on September 17 and remains held at the Muhlenberg County Detention Center. His bond was reported at $1 million cash only.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 23.

Because the case is still pending, the allegations against Mayes have not been proven in court.

SECOND MAN ALSO ARRESTED

A second man, Jeff Barnett, has also been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Barnett is Grayson’s step-grandfather and reportedly lives at the Hillview Street property where the child’s body was discovered.

However, Barnett is not charged with murder. He faces a charge of tampering with physical evidence.

Both men remain in custody as investigators continue working on the case.

COMMUNITY GATHERS TO REMEMBER GRAYSON

As the investigation unfolded, residents of the small Kentucky community gathered for a candlelight vigil in memory of Grayson.

The vigil was held on September 17, with community members carrying candles and speaking about the little boy whose life ended just weeks before his first birthday.

According to Grayson’s obituary, he was remembered as a happy and social child who loved water, watching Ms. Rachel and playing with other children.

His family described him as a baby who was loved by those around him and who had never met a stranger.

Vigil organizer Georgina Sailing told WBKO that the community wanted Grayson’s name to be remembered and said people intended to continue supporting his family throughout the legal process.

INVESTIGATION REMAINS ACTIVE

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Grayson’s death.

The discovery of his body, the allegations against Mayes and the separate evidence-tampering charge against Barnett have left the community facing difficult questions about what happened during the final hours of the baby’s life.

For now, the criminal case remains before the courts.

Mayes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, while the investigation into Grayson’s death continues.