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

An 11-month-old Kentucky boy was found dead inside a couch after disappearing while he was in the care of a teenage babysitter, who is now facing murder and other charges, authorities said.

Grayson Walton was just two weeks away from his first birthday when his family was confronted with the devastating discovery.

Police say the baby had been left in the care of Elijah Mayes, 19, while Grayson’s father was at work.

Days later, investigators searching a home in Cleaton, Kentucky, found the child’s body hidden inside a couch.

According to court documents cited by local media, Grayson had bruises on his body and appeared to have teeth marks on his stomach. His official cause of death has not been publicly released.

BABY REPORTED MISSING

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

The father told officers that Mayes had been responsible for looking after Grayson while he was at work.

When questioned, Mayes allegedly told investigators that a family friend had picked up the baby at around 10 p.m. on September 11.

Police then located and interviewed the woman Mayes had identified.

According to investigators, she told officers that she had never picked up Grayson.

That prompted investigators to continue searching for the missing infant.

POLICE SAY A FAKE ALIBI WAS CREATED

Investigators allege that Mayes attempted to support his account by creating a fake phone number and sending messages to himself while pretending to be the person he claimed had taken Grayson.

The alleged messages were intended to make it appear that the baby had been collected by someone else, according to police.

A relative also told investigators that Grayson had been seen with Mayes at another property in Cleaton on September 11.

That information helped direct investigators toward a home on Hillview Street.

HORRIFYING DISCOVERY INSIDE A COUCH

Police obtained a search warrant for the Hillview Street property.

During the search, officers made the discovery that would bring the missing-child investigation to a tragic end.

Grayson’s body was found inside a couch at the home.

Court documents reviewed by local news outlets state that the infant was covered in bruises and appeared to have teeth marks on his stomach.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed exactly how Grayson died, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The home where Grayson’s body was discovered is reportedly associated with his step-grandfather, Jeff Barnett.

Barnett was also arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence. Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific conduct underlying that charge.

ADDITIONAL DRUG CHARGE

During the investigation, police also searched another property connected to Mayes.

Investigators reported finding suspected methamphetamine in a dresser drawer in a bedroom they said belonged to Mayes.

As a result, Mayes is also facing a controlled-substance charge.

According to authorities, his charges include:

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

Mayes has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Muhlenberg County Detention Center on a reported $1 million cash bond. His next court appearance was scheduled for September 23.

GRAYSON REMEMBERED AS A HAPPY BABY

While the criminal investigation continues, Grayson’s family and the small Kentucky community have been left mourning the loss of a child who was only days away from his first birthday.

His obituary described him as a happy and sociable baby who loved playing with other children.

He also loved the water and watching Ms. Rachel, according to the obituary. Family members remembered him as a child who was friendly and full of life.

A candlelight vigil was held in Grayson’s memory, with members of the community gathering to remember the infant and support his family.

One community member told local media that the family was devastated and that the tragedy had affected the entire small community.

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

INVESTIGATION REMAINS ACTIVE

The Central City Police Department said the investigation remains active and thanked numerous agencies and emergency responders for assisting with the case, including state police and the FBI.

Authorities have not released a final cause of death for Grayson.

Mayes is accused of causing the child’s death, but those allegations have not been proven in court. He remains legally presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.

For Grayson’s family, however, the tragedy is already permanent: an 11-month-old boy who was just weeks away from celebrating his first birthday is now being remembered by his loved ones and community.