BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. — A heartbreaking case in Eastern Kentucky has taken a horrifying turn as authorities confirm the remains of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer have been found buried less than a week after his disappearance. His own mother, Felicia Gross, 33, now stands accused in connection with his death, facing multiple felony charges.
Kentucky State Police announced Tuesday evening that Jayden’s body was discovered around 3 p.m. along Canoe Road in Jackson. The discovery followed days of desperate searching and growing concern from the Breathitt County community. What began as a missing child case has now turned into a criminal investigation filled with disturbing allegations.
Troopers say Spicer was last seen alive on the night of August 5 at his home in Breathitt County. According to the initial report given to authorities, Jayden had gone to bed that night but was gone by the next morning. An intensive search was launched, with family, neighbors, and law enforcement scouring the area. However, the search came to a devastating end when his body was found, buried in a shallow grave.
Investigators have charged Gross with:
- Second-degree manslaughter
- Abuse of a corpse
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Falsely reporting an incident
She is currently being held at Kentucky River Regional Jail. Authorities have not yet released a motive, but they have confirmed the circumstances of Jayden’s death are being closely examined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort, where an autopsy will determine the exact cause.
Neighbors in Jackson described Jayden as a bright, polite, and loving child — a boy who loved the outdoors and brought joy to those around him. His sudden, violent end has shaken the entire county, prompting an outpouring of grief and anger.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and to think it was allegedly caused by the person he trusted most is unthinkable,” one resident said.
The Breathitt County community is now left to process the loss, demanding justice for a child whose life was cut short far too soon. For many, the case has become a chilling reminder that evil can sometimes hide in plain sight.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities say additional charges could be filed as more evidence is uncovered.
If you’d like, I can also write a more emotionally charged, victim-focused version of this that paints Jayden’s life in fuller detail while still covering the case facts. That would make it more powerful for a memorial or community news format.
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