Jackson, KY — A Kentucky mother, Felicia Gross, 33, has been arrested and charged after her 10-year-old son, Jayden Spicer, was found dead and buried in a shallow grave following a reported disappearance.
Gross is facing multiple charges, including manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, falsely reporting an incident, and tampering with a witness, according to Kentucky State Police.
The Disappearance and Search Effort
Jayden Spicer was reported missing on August 6, 2025, in Jackson, a small town about 100 miles southeast of Lexington. Both of his parents reported that Jayden had gone to bed on the evening of August 5, but was missing the following morning.
The Kentucky State Police launched an extensive search for the child, using various resources and tools to locate him.
Jayden was described as wearing blue “Sonic the Hedgehog” pajamas, standing 5’1″, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Despite the search efforts, the case took a disturbing turn less than a week later.
Mother’s Confession Leads to Discovery of Body
According to the arrest citation, Gross confessed to her role in her son’s death during an interview at the Jackson Police Department. She told investigators that she had given Jayden a sleeping medication, which led to a medical emergency. Gross claimed that she believed Jayden had passed away from this medical emergency.
Following her confession, Gross led authorities to the shallow grave where Jayden’s remains were found on Canoe Road, about 19 miles southwest of their home in Panbowl Branch Road. His body was reportedly buried in a plastic tote.
Allegations of Manipulating Other Children
The investigation further revealed that Gross had allegedly instructed her other children to lie about Jayden’s death while the search continued. Two of Jayden’s siblings were interviewed by child advocacy center Care Cottage in Hazard, where Gross reportedly coached them on what to say.
Public Outcry and Community Response
Jayden’s aunts publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, expressing disbelief that he would have wandered to the remote area where his body was found.
One aunt described Jayden as “sweet”, “loving”, and “hyperactive”, adding that he had a fear of insects and the dark, casting doubt on the narrative presented by the family.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Felicia Gross is currently being held at the Kentucky River Regional Jail. An autopsy will be performed to determine Jayden’s exact cause of death.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney, Miranda King, expressed gratitude that Jayden’s remains were recovered, stating that while the outcome was heartbreaking, they were able to bring him out of the woods and give him a proper resolution.
Gross will face legal consequences for her actions, and the community continues to grieve the loss of a young life under tragic and disturbing circumstances.
