Elijah Mayes is facing multiple charges in the death of Grayson Walton, whom he was supposed to be babysitting
A 19-year-old Kentucky man is facing murder and abuse charges after an 11-month-old baby he was supposed to be babysitting was found dead.
According to the Central City Police Department, officers were called to a home on Harrison Street just after 5 p.m. local time on Saturday, Sept. 12, after the father of an 11-month-old baby — later identified as Grayson Walton — reported that he was searching for his son.
The father told police that 19-year-old Elijah Mayes was supposed to be babysitting Grayson while he was at work.
Mayes told investigators that a “family friend” had picked up Grayson on Friday, Sept. 11, at around 10 p.m., but officers “located and interviewed that individual, who stated that she had not picked up the child.”
A relative also reported last seeing the baby with Mayes on Sept. 11 at another home located in the nearby town of Cleaton.
Officers eventually searched the home on Harrison Street and found what they suspected was methamphetamine inside. After obtaining a second search warrant, they searched the Cleaton home, where they found 11-month-old Grayson dead.
Court records obtained by local outlets WFIE and FOX 56 state that police found the baby inside a couch when they searched the Cleaton property.
The baby was covered in bruises and appeared to have teeth marks on his stomach, police said.
Investigators also alleged that Mayes made a fake phone number and texted himself, pretending to be the person he gave the baby to, in an attempt to provide himself with an alibi.
Soon after Mayes’ arrest, the baby’s step-grandfather, Jeff Barnett, was arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence. WFIE reported that Barnett’s address is listed as the same home in Cleaton where police discovered Grayson’s body.
Local community members gathered on Sept. 17 to hold a candlelight vigil for Grayson.
Speaking to WBKO, vigil organizer Georgina Sailing said she hopes “justice is served” for the baby and his family.
“We’re getting his name out there,” she told the outlet. “My whole thing is, speak his name. Don’t let him be forgotten.”
Jennifer Banks, another vigil attendee, shared that Grayson’s immediate family was “devastated” in the aftermath of his death.
“And to live in a small community is to feel everything together. That’s what small community is,” Banks added. “It’s like we’re all family.”
According to his obituary, Grayson died just two weeks before his first birthday. He is being remembered as a happy baby who loved to play and socialize.
“He loved the water. He loved Ms. Rachel. He was always happy — he loved playing with other kids,” the obituary states. “He never met a stranger.”
Central City police said 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 pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday, Sept. 17, WBKO reported.
Mayes is currently being held at the Muhlenberg County Detention Center and is next set to appear in court on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.