19-year-old man charged in death of Muhlenberg County infant

Editor’s Note: This case contains disturbing details regarding an infant death. Reader and viewer discretion is advised. 

UPDATE Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. 

CENTRAL CITY, Ky. – Additional details are now available in an ongoing investigation into the death of an 11-month-old in Muhlenberg County.

Nineteen-year-old Elijah Mayes currently faces charges of murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)

The charges are in connection with the death of an 11-month-old.

According to a uniform citation, after Central City police responded to the scene on Saturday, they later discovered Mayes had made “a fake phone number and texted himself pretending to be the person he stated he gave the baby to.”

Police say it was determined Mayes had not given the infant to anyone despite him claiming this occurred.

In addition, authorities say 11-month-old Grayson Walton was found dead inside of a couch where he had been left in the care of Mayes. Police say the child appeared to be “covered in bruises” and had “teeth marks” on his stomach.

According to a separate uniform citation, Mayes’ charge of drug possession stems from authorities discovering a shard of suspected methamphetamine in a dresser drawer of Mayes’ room.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Original Story

CENTRAL CITY, Ky. – A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder in the death of an infant in Central City.

According to the Central City Police Department, around 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 800 block of Harrison Avenue.

Upon arrival, police say they spoke with the father of an 11-month-old. Authorities say the father reported the child was supposed to be in the care of 19-year-old Elijah Mayes while he worked.

While interviewing Mayes, officers say he stated a family friend had picked up the child around 10 p.m. on Friday.

Officers say they located and interviewed that individual, who stated she had not picked up the child. A relative also stated they had last seen the child with Mayes at a residence in the 300 block of Hillview Street in Cleaton on Friday, authorities say.

Following additional interviews, authorities say they obtained and executed a search warrant for a residence and a vehicle in the 800 block of Harrison Avenue.

During the search, authorities say they located methamphetamine in the home.

A second warrant was executed at the residence along the 300 block of Hillview Street, where authorities say they found 11-month-old Grayson Walton dead.

Mayes was arrested and transported to the Muhlenberg County Detention Center.

He faces charges of murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Central City police were assisted by the Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville Police Department,  Kentucky State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Madisonville Police Department, Central City Fire Department, Greenville Fire Department, Drakesboro Fire Department, Dunmor Fire Department, Bremen Fire Department, Beechmont Fire Department, Nelson Creek Fire Department, Graham Fire Department, Muhlenberg County Emergency Management and Muhlenberg County Coroner’s Office.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be available as it is released.