BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. — A week-long search for a missing 10-year-old boy in eastern Kentucky ended in tragedy Tuesday when authorities discovered his body buried in a shallow grave. The child’s mother has been arrested and now faces multiple felony charges.
The victim, identified as Jayden Spicer, was reported missing on August 6 after his mother claimed he had gone to bed the previous night and was gone the next morning. His disappearance prompted an extensive search effort led by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) with assistance from volunteers, K-9 units, drones, and other resources.
On August 12, investigators received a tip that led them to a wooded area along Canoe Road in Jackson, Breathitt County. At approximately 3 p.m., search teams discovered Jayden’s remains buried in a shallow grave. The body was later transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
During a press briefing, KSP Trooper Matt Gayheart confirmed the arrest of Felicia Gross, 33, of Breathitt County, in connection with her son’s death. Gross has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and falsely reporting an incident. She is being held without bond at the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
Authorities noted that Gross had previously made a public plea for help in finding her son, writing a handwritten note appealing to the community. Investigators now believe that plea came after she already knew what had happened to Jayden.
The case has deeply shaken Breathitt County, where residents had spent days assisting in search efforts. Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King acknowledged the community’s dedication and expressed condolences to those impacted by the tragedy.
“This is a heartbreaking case,” King said. “The outpouring of support from neighbors and volunteers reflects the close-knit nature of this community, and our thoughts are with everyone grieving this loss.”
Kentucky State Police have stated that the investigation remains active. Detectives are continuing to collect evidence and conduct interviews to establish a clear timeline of events. No further details have been released to protect the integrity of the case.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is urged to contact the Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard.