19-year-old man charged in death of Central City infant

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.