The Kentucky State Police have reported a tragic conclusion to the case of a missing 10-year-old boy, Jayden Spicer. The boy’s mother, 33-year-old Felicia Gross, has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement, and tampering with a witness.
Jayden Spicer was reported missing from his home in Jackson, a small town about 100 miles southeast of Lexington, on August 6. His disappearance triggered a large-scale search and rescue operation by state troopers. However, less than a week into the search, a shocking revelation came to light through an arrest citation.
The citation revealed that during a formal interview at the Jackson Police Department headquarters, Gross confessed to giving her son a type of sleeping medication. She believed that the medication led to a medical emergency, which she thought resulted in Jayden’s death. The boy was last seen alive on August 5, with both parents reporting that he had gone to bed that night but was missing by the following morning.
The search for Jayden was extensive, with details about the boy, including his description and the blue “Sonic the Hedgehog” pajamas he was believed to be wearing, shared widely to aid in the search. Despite the exhaustive efforts, the boy’s remains were found on August 10, buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area on Canoe Road in Jackson.
The discovery was made following Gross’s alleged confession, approximately 19 miles southwest of the family’s home. The citation further states that Gross admitted to transporting Jayden’s body to the wooded area and burying it in a plastic tote.
In a disturbing twist, it is also alleged that Gross instructed her other children to lie about their brother’s death while the search was ongoing. She even wrote a handwritten note, appealing to the public for help in finding Jayden. Two of Jayden’s siblings were interviewed at a child advocacy center several days before Gross’s confession. She admitted to instructing the siblings on what to say during the interview, according to the citation.
The case has raised questions and disbelief among Jayden’s extended family. His aunts publicly questioned the narrative, describing Jayden as a sweet, loving, and hyperactive boy who was afraid of insects and the dark. Gross is currently being held in the Kentucky River Regional Jail. An autopsy will be performed on Jayden’s body to establish the exact cause of death. Despite the tragic outcome, officials expressed relief at being able to recover Jayden’s body and ensure justice is served.