A 19-year-old Kentucky babysitter is facing a murder charge after an 11-month-old boy in his care was found dead inside a couch, ending a search that investigators say began with a false story about someone else picking up the child.

Elijah Mayes was supposed to be caring for Grayson Walton while the baby’s father was at work, according to authorities.

Instead, police allege Mayes gave investigators an account that quickly began to fall apart.

Grayson was ultimately found dead at a home in Cleaton, Kentucky, on Sept. 12. Court records say the infant had extensive bruising and what investigators described as apparent teeth marks on his stomach.

Mayes has since been charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and possession of methamphetamine.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Father Reported Grayson Missing

Police were called shortly after 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 after Grayson’s father reported that he could not find his son.

The father told officers that Mayes had been responsible for watching the 11-month-old while he was working.

Mayes allegedly told investigators that a family friend had picked Grayson up at about 10 p.m. on Sept. 11.

That explanation immediately became a central part of the investigation.

Police located the woman Mayes identified.

She told officers she had not picked up Grayson.

Investigators also spoke with a relative who said the baby had last been seen with Mayes at a different home in nearby Cleaton on Sept. 11.

The conflicting accounts led police to begin obtaining search warrants.

Police Say the Baby Was Hidden Inside a Couch

Investigators first searched a residence on Harrison Street, where they said they found suspected methamphetamine.

A second search warrant then brought officers to the Cleaton property.

There, investigators made the discovery that transformed the missing-child case into a homicide investigation.

Grayson’s body was reportedly found concealed inside a couch.

According to a criminal citation, the baby was covered in bruises and appeared to have teeth marks on his abdomen.

Authorities have not publicly released a final medical examiner’s determination explaining exactly how Grayson died.

That distinction remains important.

The visible injuries described in court records are part of the evidence against Mayes, but the official cause and manner of death have not yet been publicly detailed.

Investigators Allege Mayes Tried to Build a False Alibi

One of the most significant allegations involves Mayes’ phone activity.

Police say he created a fake phone number and sent messages to himself while pretending to be the woman he had claimed picked Grayson up.

Investigators believe the messages were intended to support the story he had given police and make it appear that the baby had left his care with another adult.

That allegation is now part of the tampering-with-evidence case against him.

Prosecutors will ultimately have to prove that the messages were deliberately fabricated and that they were intended to interfere with the investigation.

The claim has not yet been tested at trial.

Methamphetamine Charge Came From Separate Search

The drug charge against Mayes stems from the search of the Harrison Street residence.

Police said they found a shard believed to be methamphetamine inside a dresser drawer associated with him.

Authorities have not publicly said that drugs caused Grayson’s death or established that the suspected methamphetamine was directly connected to the child.

For now, the drug allegation is a separate charge within the broader criminal case.

Grayson’s Step-Grandfather Also Arrested

Another person has also been charged in connection with the investigation.

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

Publicly available information has not established that Barnett participated in Grayson’s death.

His charge concerns alleged interference with evidence, not murder.

Authorities have not yet publicly explained the full factual basis for the tampering allegation.

The investigation therefore remains broader than the charges against Mayes alone.

Mayes Held on $1 Million Bond

Mayes appeared in court after his arrest and entered a not-guilty plea.

He is being held in the Muhlenberg County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 23.

The case remains in its early stages, meaning prosecutors have not yet presented their full evidence publicly and the defense has not had the opportunity to challenge the state’s allegations at trial.

Mayes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Community Gathered to Remember Grayson

As the criminal case moved forward, Grayson’s family and community began mourning a child who died only weeks before his first birthday.

A candlelight vigil was held in his memory, bringing together relatives, friends and residents who wanted to support the family and call for answers.

Grayson was remembered as a happy and friendly baby.

His funeral took place as the legal proceedings against Mayes were beginning, forcing the family to navigate grief at the same time investigators were releasing increasingly disturbing details about the case.

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

Authorities Say the Investigation Is Still Active

The Central City Police Department has said multiple agencies assisted with the investigation, including federal authorities.

As many as 15 agencies reportedly became involved after Grayson was reported missing.

That response reflects both the urgency of searching for an infant and the rapid transformation of the case once investigators began challenging the account they had initially been given.

Several major questions remain unanswered publicly.

Authorities have not released the complete autopsy findings.

They have not explained what caused the bruising or apparent bite marks.

They have not publicly detailed what allegedly happened to Grayson between the time he was last seen alive and the discovery of his body.

And while a second person has been charged with evidence tampering, investigators have not fully described whether anyone else could face additional charges.

A Missing-Child Search Became a Murder Case

What began as a father reporting his 11-month-old son missing turned into something far more serious within hours.

Investigators say the person entrusted to watch Grayson gave them a story that did not hold up.

The woman he claimed had collected the child denied doing so.

Police then searched two homes.

At the second property, they found the baby hidden inside a piece of furniture.

Now, prosecutors must prove not only that Mayes was responsible for Grayson’s death, but also that he abused the child and then attempted to conceal what happened.

Until that case is decided in court, the charges remain allegations.

For Grayson’s family, however, the outcome that cannot be changed is already clear.

He died just two weeks before his first birthday.

And as the legal process continues, his relatives are now waiting for the same answers investigators are still trying to establish: exactly what happened to Grayson Walton during the final hours he was left in someone else’s care.