A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Kentucky following the discovery of a deceased 11-month-old baby, according to officials with the Central City Police Department. Elijah Mayes, 19, was taken into custody after the body of Grayson Walton was found inside a residence. The tragic incident unfolded after police were called to a home on Harrison Avenue on Saturday afternoon, initiating a search for the missing infant.
Police officials stated that Mayes was reportedly entrusted with the care of Grayson Walton. He was designated to look after the 11-month-old child while the baby's father was at work. This detail formed a crucial part of the initial investigation as officers worked to understand the circumstances surrounding the child's disappearance.
According to the Central City Police Department, when officers first made contact, Mayes told them that a family friend had picked up Grayson on Friday night. However, this claim was quickly disputed. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the individual identified by Mayes as having picked up the child denied any involvement in the infant's pickup. This inconsistency in Mayes' account prompted further investigation by detectives.
The inquiry gained new direction when a relative provided additional information. This relative reported having seen Grayson with Mayes at a different location, a house situated a few miles away on Hillview Street in Cleaton. Armed with this new lead and the conflicting statements, detectives moved to secure search warrants for both the initial Harrison Avenue address and the home on Hillview Street.
The execution of these search warrants by law enforcement personnel led to significant and disturbing discoveries. Inside the home on Harrison Avenue, officers located suspected methamphetamine, indicating the presence of illegal substances at that property. The search at the second location, the residence on Hillview Street, yielded the most tragic result: officials confirmed that Grayson Walton was found dead inside that house.
Following these discoveries, Elijah Mayes was arrested. He is currently being held at the Muhlenberg County Detention Center, awaiting further legal proceedings. Mayes faces a series of serious charges related to the case. These include murder, criminal abuse, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and possession of a controlled substance. Each of these charges reflects different aspects of the alleged actions and discoveries made by police during their investigation.
Central City Police Department officials have clarified that the investigation into Grayson Walton's death and Mayes' alleged involvement remains active. Authorities indicated that additional information regarding the case could be released to the public as the investigation progresses. The community awaits further details as police continue their work on this somber case.