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

A 19-year-old babysitter has been charged with murder after an 11-month-old baby he was supposed to be caring for was found dead inside a couch in a Kentucky home.

Grayson Walton, from Central City, Kentucky, was reported missing after his father went to work on September 11 and left the baby in the care of Elijah Mayes, according to police and court records.

The heartbreaking case has since shocked the small community of Cleaton, where investigators discovered the infant’s body during a search of a home.

Baby reported missing after babysitter gives police a different story

Police were called shortly after 5 p.m. on September 12 after Grayson’s father reported that he was searching for his son.

Investigators questioned Mayes about the baby’s whereabouts.

According to police, Mayes claimed that a family friend had picked Grayson up at around 10 p.m. the previous night.

But officers located and interviewed the woman Mayes identified.

Police said she told them that she had not picked up the baby.

Investigators also learned that a relative had reportedly seen Grayson with Mayes at a home on Hillview Street in the Cleaton community on September 11.

That information led authorities to obtain search warrants for properties connected to the investigation.

Police make disturbing discovery inside couch

During a search of the Hillview Street property, officers found Grayson dead inside a couch, according to a criminal citation obtained by local news outlet WFIE.

Court documents state that the 11-month-old appeared to have bruises and teeth marks on his stomach.

Authorities have not publicly released the official cause of death.

The discovery came after investigators had already searched another property on Harrison Avenue, where they said they found suspected methamphetamine in a bedroom drawer belonging to Mayes.

Police later charged Mayes with possession of methamphetamine in addition to the charges connected to Grayson’s death.

Investigators allege fake messages were created

Police also allege that Mayes attempted to support his account of what happened to Grayson by creating a fake phone number and sending messages to himself while pretending to be the person he claimed had collected the baby.

Investigators say the alleged story was quickly disproved after they spoke directly with the woman.

The allegations are part of the criminal case against Mayes and have not been established at trial.

Second man arrested

A second arrest has also been made.

Jeff Barnett, identified in local reports as Grayson’s step-grandfather, was charged with tampering with physical evidence. His listed address is the same Hillview Street property where police say Grayson’s body was discovered.

Barnett was arrested at a gas station in Graham after authorities obtained a warrant, according to WBKO.

Mayes faces charges including murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and possession of a controlled substance.

He has pleaded not guilty and is being held at the Muhlenberg County Detention Center on a reported $1 million cash-only bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 23.

Community gathers to remember Grayson

The tragedy has deeply affected the small Kentucky community.

Grayson was laid to rest on September 17, followed by a candlelight vigil attended by family members, friends and local residents.

People gathered to pray for the baby’s family and later walked through the streets carrying signs reading “Justice for Grayson.”

Community members described the 11-month-old as a happy and friendly child who loved water, watching Mrs. Rachel and playing with other children.

A fundraiser has also been established to help Grayson’s family with funeral expenses.

As the investigation continues, authorities have not publicly disclosed exactly how the baby died. The criminal allegations against Mayes and Barnett remain subject to the court process.