A 19-year-old babysitter in Kentucky has been charged with murder following the death of an 11-month-old infant in her care. Authorities allege that Elijah Mayes fatally abused the child, identified as Grayson Walton, before concealing the body inside a couch.

The incident came to light on September 13, when police responded to a home in Cleaton after Grayson’s father reported that the baby was missing. The father told officers he had left his son with Mayes while he was at work, only to find the child gone upon his return later that day. Initially, Mayes claimed that a family friend had taken the baby from the residence the previous evening, but the discovery of Grayson’s body contradicted this account.

According to law enforcement, the infant’s stomach bore teeth marks, suggesting severe physical abuse. The baby was just two weeks short of his first birthday at the time of his death. Mayes was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, criminal abuse, and possession of methamphetamine.

Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the case as legal proceedings move forward.