11-MONTH-OLD GRAYSON WALTON FOUND HIDDEN INSIDE COUCH AS BABYSITTER FACES MURDER CHARGE

An 11-month-old Kentucky boy who was just weeks away from his first birthday has been remembered as a happy, sociable child after authorities discovered his body hidden inside a couch.

Elijah Mayes, 19, is facing multiple charges in connection with the death of Grayson Walton, whom he was reportedly supposed to be babysitting while the child’s father was at work.

According to the Central City Police Department and court records cited by local news outlets, officers were called to a home in Central City shortly after 5 p.m. on September 12 after Grayson’s father reported that he could not find his son.

Police said Mayes initially told investigators that a family friend had picked Grayson up the previous night.

Investigators later contacted the woman Mayes identified. According to police, she said she had never picked up the child.

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

BABY FOUND INSIDE COUCH

Police subsequently searched a home on Hillview Street in Cleaton.

According to a criminal citation obtained by local media, investigators discovered Grayson’s body hidden inside a couch.

Authorities said the baby had bruises and what appeared to be teeth marks on his stomach.

The details were included in police documents and remain allegations connected to the criminal investigation.

Investigators also allege that Mayes attempted to create a false explanation for what had happened to Grayson.

According to police, he allegedly created a fake phone number and sent messages to himself while pretending to be the person who had supposedly taken the baby.

Mayes has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty, according to PEOPLE.

MULTIPLE CHARGES FILED

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

Police said a separate search at another residence resulted in the discovery of suspected methamphetamine, which led to the drug charge.

Grayson’s step-grandfather, Jeff Barnett, was also arrested in connection with the investigation.

Barnett is charged with tampering with physical evidence. His listed address is the same Cleaton property where police say Grayson’s body was discovered.

Neither man’s guilt has been established in court.

Mayes appeared in court on September 17 and is scheduled to return on September 23, according to PEOPLE.

A COMMUNITY REMEMBERS GRAYSON

As investigators work to establish exactly what happened, friends and community members have gathered to remember the little boy.

A candlelight vigil was held for Grayson on September 17.

Organizers said they wanted his name to be remembered and his short life to be honored.

Grayson’s obituary described him as a cheerful baby who loved playing and being around other children.

He loved the water and watching Ms. Rachel, and according to his family, he was “always happy” and never met a stranger.

The toddler died only about two weeks before his first birthday.

For those who knew him, Grayson was not simply the subject of a heartbreaking criminal investigation.

He was a little boy who loved to play, smile and be around people — a child whose first birthday should have been filled with memories, family and celebration.

Instead, his family and community are now left mourning a life that ended far too soon while investigators continue working to determine what happened.

The criminal case against Mayes remains ongoing.