(FOX 56) — One year ago Wednesday, authorities found the body of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer in a shallow grave nearly 20 miles from his Breathitt County home, ending a days-long search that drew widespread attention across Kentucky.
Jayden Spicer was reported missing on Aug. 6, 2025. Investigators said he disappeared overnight from his Panbowl Branch Road home while wearing blue “Sonic the Hedgehog” pajamas.
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The following day, his mother, Felicia Gross, provided a written statement to media outlets asking for prayers and urging anyone with information to come forward.
Investigators later alleged Gross made those statements despite knowing what had happened to her son. Authorities, volunteers, friends, and family spent days searching for Jayden in hopes of bringing him home safely.
Six days after he was reported missing, investigators say Gross led authorities to a shallow grave off Canoe Road, about 19 miles from the family’s home near Jackson. Jayden’s body was found inside a tote buried in a wooded area.
According to court documents, Gross told investigators she gave Jayden a sleeping medication that caused what she described as a “medical emergency” and believed he had died. Investigators also allege she coached his siblings on what to tell police during the search.
“While this is not the outcome that we had hoped for, we certainly are grateful that we were able to bring him out of the woods today,” Miranda King, commonwealth’s attorney, said in a media briefing in 2025. “It appears that there are people all over the world who love and care for this baby. Because of that, I would like to assure the public that now, thanks to these guys, Jayden is now in good hands.”
Gross was arrested and charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and falsely reporting an incident in connection with her son’s death.
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“We spent hours up until two or three o’clock in the morning out looking for Jayden,” Chy Salyers, one of Spicer’s aunts, said. “We were very dedicated. And to know that she knew where he was—we can’t stomach it.”
A grand jury later indicted Jayden’s stepfather, Joshua Gross, on charges of complicity in murder, complicity in falsely reporting an incident, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and two counts of complicity in tampering with a witness.
“Even the idea of this event seems unfathomable. But here we are, in this unimaginable place. In Jayden’s short life, he got less than he deserved. So we’re going to do our best to give him everything we’ve got and make sure he gets what he deserves in our lives,” King affirmed.
Family members and friends said they struggled to comprehend the circumstances surrounding Jayden’s death.
“Just the fact that he’s not here, he’s not going to be going into school with my son,” Tasha Shepherd, a family friend, said. “It’s just heartbreaking. How can a mother do something like that?”
The reality of child abuse in Kentucky
While prosecutors continue to pursue the criminal case, child advocates say Jayden’s death highlights a broader issue facing Kentucky children.
According to Norton Children’s, Kentucky’s child abuse rate remains among the highest in the nation.
“Child abuse prevention truly begins with strengthening families,” said Kelly L. Dauk, M.D., chair, Norton Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Task Force, and pediatric hospitalist, Norton Children’s Inpatient Care. “When families are overwhelmed, their children are more vulnerable. Small, thoughtful gestures from friends, neighbors, or extended family can make a meaningful difference. Strong, supported families create safer environments for children.”
The 2025 Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel Report found that neglect was the most common factor in the deaths of Kentucky children. Of the 248 cases reviewed, 72 resulted in a child’s death and 176 involved near-fatal injuries.
The panel determined that 81% of the reviewed cases were potentially preventable.
A brighter future for Kentucky’s children
In response to the case, Sen. Brandon Smith sponsored Senate Bill 138, commonly known as “Jayden’s Law.”
The legislation would classify child abuse homicide as a capital offense and increase potential penalties for those convicted, including allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty.
“Children in the state of Kentucky should be one of our greatest priorities,” Smith said. “I want people to understand that if you do this in Kentucky, there’s going to be the highest possible punishment that we can mete out.”
The bill has not advanced since receiving its second reading in the Senate on March 13, 2026.
Where the case stands
Felicia Gross and Joshua Gross remain jailed on $1 million cash bonds, according to court records.
Joshua Gross previously asked the court to reduce his bond, though court records do not indicate a judge has ruled on the request.
Court records also indicate Jayden’s autopsy report has not yet been filed in the case record.
FOX 56 News previously requested the autopsy report through Kentucky’s Open Records Act. The request was denied because the investigation remains active.
Felicia Gross is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. on Oct. 23. Court records do not currently list any upcoming hearings for Joshua Gross.
The criminal cases against both defendants remain pending. A trial date has yet to be set.