An 11-month-old Kentucky boy who was reportedly in the care of a 19-year-old man was found dead inside a Cleaton home after police investigated conflicting accounts about the child’s whereabouts.
Elijah Drew Mayes, 19, of Central City, has been arrested and charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and possession of a controlled substance in connection with the death of Grayson Walton.
The investigation began Saturday, Sept. 12, when Central City police responded at about 5:10 p.m. to a reported disturbance at a home in the 800 block of Harrison Avenue.
Police said Grayson’s father told officers that the infant was supposed to be in Mayes’ care while he was at work.
Investigators said Mayes initially told them that a family friend had picked up Grayson at about 10 p.m. the previous night. Officers contacted the woman, who denied taking the child.
A relative then told investigators that Grayson had last been seen with Mayes around 10 p.m. Friday at a residence in the 300 block of Hillview Street in Cleaton.
Search leads investigators to Cleaton home
After conducting additional interviews, investigators obtained a search warrant for the Harrison Avenue residence and a vehicle there. Police said suspected methamphetamine was found inside the home.
Investigators then obtained another search warrant for a residence and vehicle on Hillview Street in Cleaton, roughly four miles southeast of the Harrison Avenue location.
It was during that search that officers found Grayson dead inside the residence.
Police have not released the cause or manner of the infant’s death.
Central City Police Chief Jason Lindsey said investigators were working to determine where the child might be and whether he was inside or outside a residence, prompting authorities to seek the search warrants.
Lindsey also said investigators wanted to locate Grayson as quickly as possible in case there was still an opportunity to find him alive.
Mayes remains in custody as investigation continues
Mayes was taken to the Muhlenberg County Detention Center following his arrest.
In addition to the charges related to Grayson’s death, he faces a controlled-substance charge involving suspected methamphetamine.
Several law enforcement and emergency agencies have assisted Central City police with the investigation, including Kentucky State Police, the FBI, the Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Office, Madisonville Police Department, Greenville Police Department and local fire departments.
Authorities have not announced a cause of death or provided a court appearance date for Mayes.
The investigation remains active, and police have said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
