A 19-year-old Kentucky man is facing a murder charge after an 11-month-old boy he was supposed to be babysitting was found dead inside a couch, according to police and court records.
Elijah Mayes, of Central City, was caring for Grayson Walton while the baby’s father was at work, authorities said. The case began on Sept. 12 when Central City police responded to a disturbance on Harrison Avenue and spoke with Grayson’s father, who said his son was supposed to be with Mayes.
Mayes allegedly told officers that a family friend had picked up Grayson around 10 p.m. the night before.
Investigators tracked down that person — and she told police she had never picked up the baby.
A relative also told officers that Grayson had last been seen with Mayes at a home on Hillview Street in nearby Cleaton.
Police then obtained search warrants for both locations.
At the Harrison Avenue home, officers found suspected methamphetamine. During a second search at the Hillview Street property, they found Grayson dead.
Newly released court documents later revealed an even more disturbing detail.
Police said Grayson’s body had been hidden inside a couch.
The 11-month-old was covered in bruises and appeared to have teeth marks on his stomach, according to the criminal citation obtained by WFIE.
Investigators also allege Mayes went to unusual lengths to back up his story about the supposed family friend.
According to police, he allegedly created a fake phone number and texted himself while pretending to be the person who had supposedly taken Grayson, apparently in an effort to build an alibi.
Mayes was arrested and charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and first-degree possession of a controlled substance involving methamphetamine.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Court records cited by WBKO show Mayes was ordered held on a $1 million cash-only bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 23.
The investigation has also led to a second arrest.
Jeff Barnett, identified by police as Grayson’s step-grandfather, was charged with tampering with physical evidence. Barnett’s listed address is the same Hillview Street home where Grayson’s body was found.
Police have not publicly explained what evidence Barnett is accused of tampering with, and the charge against him remains an allegation.
The case has devastated the small Muhlenberg County community.
Dozens of people gathered for a candlelight vigil on Sept. 17 to remember Grayson and support his family.
Organizer Georgina Sailing said she wanted people to keep saying the baby’s name and make sure he was not forgotten, while another attendee said the tragedy had shaken the entire community.
Grayson died just two weeks before his first birthday.
His obituary described him as a happy, social baby who loved water, watching Ms. Rachel and playing with other children. Funeral services were held Sept. 17, with burial at Miller Cemetery.
1. I wouldn’t have this creepy loser watch my grass grow!!
2. “ Organizer Georgina Sailing said she wanted people to keep saying the baby’s name and make sure he was not forgotten, while another attendee said the tragedy had shaken the entire community.”
** THIS IS AMERICA, 2026, THIS POOR LITTLE KID WILL BE FORGOTTEN ABOUT BY NEXT WEEK…. or by the time the next little kid is murdered.
WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST!!!