GRAYSON WALTON CASE TAKES A DISTURBING TURN AFTER BABY IS FOUND HIDDEN INSIDE A COUCH

An 11-month-old Kentucky baby who disappeared while he was supposed to be in the care of a teenage babysitter was later found dead inside a home, as investigators uncovered a series of disturbing details surrounding his final hours.

Grayson Walton was just two weeks away from his first birthday.

His death has now led to multiple arrests, including the 19-year-old babysitter who was caring for him and a relative connected to the property where the baby’s body was discovered.

GRAYSON DISAPPEARED WHILE HIS FATHER WAS AT WORK

According to police, Grayson’s father went to work while his 11-month-old son was left in the care of Elijah Mayes, 19.

On September 12, officers were called to a home in Central City, Kentucky, shortly after 5 p.m. after Grayson’s father reported that the baby was missing.

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

But police tracked down the woman and determined that she had not collected the child.

Investigators also received information that Grayson had been seen with Mayes at another property in nearby Cleaton on September 11.

POLICE SEARCH TWO PROPERTIES

Investigators obtained a search warrant for a property on Harrison Street.

Police said suspected methamphetamine was discovered there.

A second search warrant was then obtained for a home in Cleaton, where investigators ultimately made the heartbreaking discovery.

Grayson’s body was found inside the home, hidden within a couch, according to court records and local reporting.

Police have not publicly released an official cause of death.

Court records cited by news organizations say investigators observed bruising on the baby’s body and what appeared to be teeth marks. Those details remain allegations contained in the investigation rather than a final judicial finding.

BABYSITTER ACCUSED OF CREATING A FALSE ALIBI

Investigators also allege that Mayes attempted to create an explanation for what happened to Grayson.

According to police, he provided the name of a person he claimed had taken the baby.

Investigators say Mayes then created a fake phone number and exchanged messages with himself while pretending to communicate with that person.

Police say the alleged story was contradicted when they located the woman and interviewed her.

Mayes has been charged with 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 $1 million cash bond, according to local reporting.

SECOND ARREST DEEPENS THE INVESTIGATION

A second arrest followed.

Jeff Barnett, identified by police as Grayson’s step-grandfather, was arrested on a charge of tampering with physical evidence.

His listed address is the same Cleaton property where authorities say Grayson’s body was found.

Barnett’s arrest does not establish that he was involved in Grayson’s death; the charge against him concerns alleged interference with physical evidence.

The circumstances surrounding the second arrest remain part of the ongoing investigation.

A BABY REMEMBERED AS ALWAYS HAPPY

As investigators continued working on the case, Grayson’s family and members of the small Kentucky community gathered to remember him.

A candlelight vigil was held several days after his death.

His obituary described him as a happy and social baby who loved the water, loved watching Ms. Rachel and enjoyed playing with other children.

“He never met a stranger,” his obituary said.

A fundraiser was also established to help the family with funeral expenses.

Community members have continued to speak publicly about the impact of Grayson’s death and the desire to see the case fully investigated.

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Central City Police Department said the investigation remains active and has involved numerous agencies, including state police and the FBI.

Authorities have not publicly established Grayson’s official cause of death, and the allegations against Mayes and Barnett have not been resolved in court.

For a family preparing to celebrate a child’s first birthday, the case has instead become a devastating search for answers surrounding the death of a baby who was remembered by those close to him as a joyful, affectionate child.

Grayson Walton was only 11 months old.