A 19-year-old Kentucky man is facing multiple criminal charges after an 11-month-old boy he was reportedly supposed to be babysitting was found dead inside a couch at a home in Cleaton.

The child, identified as Grayson Walton, was just weeks away from his first birthday.

Authorities say Elijah Mayes initially told investigators that a family friend had picked Grayson up the night before the baby was reported missing. Investigators later determined that the woman had never taken the child.

A subsequent search of a Cleaton residence uncovered Grayson’s body inside a couch, according to a criminal citation obtained by local media.

Police said the infant had visible bruising and what appeared to be teeth marks on his stomach.

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 has pleaded not guilty.

THE BABY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN MAYES’ CARE
According to Central City police, Grayson’s father had left his son in Mayes’ care while he went to work.

The sequence of events began to unravel on Sept. 12, when the father reported that he was looking for his 11-month-old son.

Police responded to a home on Harrison Avenue at approximately 5:10 p.m.

When officers questioned Mayes, investigators say he told them that a family friend had picked Grayson up around 10 p.m. the previous night.

That account quickly came under scrutiny.

Officers located the woman Mayes had identified and questioned her about the child.

According to police, she said she had not picked Grayson up.

That contradiction became one of the first major developments in the investigation.

POLICE SAY THE STORY WAS FABRICATED
Investigators now allege that Mayes went further than simply giving police an incorrect account.

According to the criminal citation, detectives discovered that he had created a fake phone number and used it to send text messages to himself while pretending to communicate with the person he claimed had taken Grayson.

Police allege the messages were intended to make his story appear legitimate and provide him with an alibi.

The alleged deception became particularly significant after the woman named in the story denied ever taking custody of the baby.

Investigators then began focusing their attention on another residence in nearby Cleaton.

A relative reportedly told officers that Grayson had last been seen with Mayes at a home on Hillview Street.

Police obtained a search warrant for the property.

What they found there changed the investigation completely.

GRAYSON WAS FOUND INSIDE A COUCH
During the search of the Hillview Street residence, officers discovered Grayson’s body hidden inside a couch.

The criminal citation described the baby as being covered in bruises.

Investigators also said there appeared to be teeth marks on his stomach.

Those details have emerged through court documents and police statements, rather than a completed trial record.

Authorities have not publicly released a final medical determination explaining exactly how Grayson died.

That distinction remains important because the murder charge reflects the allegations against Mayes, while the medical findings concerning the child’s death are still part of the investigation.

A SECOND SEARCH REVEALED SUSPECTED METHAMPHETAMINE
The investigation also produced a separate drug-related charge.

Before police located Grayson, officers searched the Harrison Avenue residence where they had initially encountered Mayes.

According to the citation, investigators found a shard of suspected methamphetamine inside a dresser drawer in Mayes’ room.

That discovery resulted in the first-degree possession-of-a-controlled-substance charge.

The drug allegation is separate from the investigation into Grayson’s death, although it became part of the overall criminal case against Mayes.

A SECOND PERSON HAS ALSO BEEN ARRESTED
Mayes is not the only person arrested in connection with the investigation.

Grayson’s step-grandfather, Jeff Barnett, was also taken into custody and charged with tampering with physical evidence.

His address has been identified in local reporting as the Hillview Street residence where Grayson’s body was discovered.

Authorities have not publicly provided a full explanation of the evidence-tampering allegation or detailed what investigators believe Barnett did.

Because the investigation remains active, additional information could emerge as prosecutors review the evidence.

THE INVESTIGATION MOVED QUICKLY
The timeline released by authorities shows how quickly investigators moved after Grayson’s disappearance was reported.

Police first received the report concerning the missing baby on Sept. 12.

Mayes was questioned about where the child had gone.

The woman he claimed had taken Grayson was located and denied having the baby.

Investigators then examined another residence where a relative said Mayes and Grayson had been seen.

A search warrant was obtained.

Inside that property, police found Grayson’s body.

Investigators also began examining Mayes’ communications, eventually alleging that he had fabricated text messages using a fake phone number.

The combination of the physical evidence and alleged false account led to the murder and abuse charges.

THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MOURNING
News of Grayson’s death has deeply affected the small Kentucky community.

A candlelight vigil was held in his memory on Sept. 17, bringing residents together to remember the baby and support his family.

Community members told local media that Grayson’s death had affected people well beyond his immediate family.

Jennifer Banks, who attended the vigil, said the family was devastated and described the close-knit nature of the community.

Another vigil organizer, Georgina Sailing, said the goal was to make sure Grayson’s name would not be forgotten.

The gathering came only days after investigators discovered the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.

GRAYSON WAS TWO WEEKS FROM HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY
According to his obituary, Grayson was only about two weeks away from turning one.

Family members remembered him as a happy and outgoing baby who enjoyed playing with other children.

He reportedly loved the water and watching Ms. Rachel, a children’s educational program.

His family also described him as a child who was friendly and comfortable around people.

Those memories have become an important part of the community’s response to the case as the criminal investigation continues.

MAYES HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY
Mayes appeared in court on Sept. 17 and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

He remains in custody at the Muhlenberg County Detention Center.

Reports indicate that his bond was set at $1 million cash-only, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 23.

The charges against him remain allegations unless and until they are proven in court.

The murder case could also develop significantly as investigators obtain additional forensic evidence, including the medical examiner’s findings.

POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED EVERY DETAIL
Authorities have deliberately withheld some information while the investigation continues.

The precise circumstances surrounding Grayson’s death have not all been made public.

Investigators have disclosed the discovery of the body, the reported bruising and apparent teeth marks, and the alleged attempt to fabricate an alibi.

But officials have not released a complete account of what happened to Grayson during the period when he was under Mayes’ care.

That information could become clearer through future court proceedings and additional forensic findings.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The investigation remains active, with Mayes facing several serious charges and Barnett facing the separate evidence-tampering allegation.

Prosecutors will now have to build their case around the evidence gathered by Central City police and assisting agencies.

That could include forensic evidence from the residence, digital communications, witness statements, the alleged fake phone number and the medical examiner’s findings.

Meanwhile, Grayson’s family is preparing to move forward without a child who was just weeks away from celebrating his first birthday.

For the investigators, the central questions remain focused on what happened during the time Grayson was in Mayes’ care and what evidence can establish the circumstances of his death.

For the community, the case has already left a lasting mark.

An infant who was supposed to be safely cared for while his father worked was instead found dead days later, hidden inside a piece of furniture.

And as the legal process begins, the full story behind Grayson’s final hours remains to be established in court.

SOURCES
NEW YORK POST — Kentucky babysitter charged after baby found inside couch