Topline: Kentucky police arrested Felicia Gross on manslaughter charges after she admitted her role in her 10-year-old son’s death and burial in a shallow grave.
Published: August 19, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Left: Felicia Gross (Kentucky River Regional Jail) Right: Jayden Spicer (Kentucky State Police)
JACKSON, KY — A 10-year-old boy reported missing has been found dead, and police have arrested his mother on multiple charges related to his death and an alleged coverup.
Felicia Gross, 33, faces charges that include second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Jayden Spicer, 10, was reported missing on Aug. 6 in Jackson, a small town about 100 miles southeast of Lexington. According to LEX 18 News, his parents told police he went to sleep the night before but was gone the next morning.
State troopers devoted many resources to the search. Jayden was described as a slim boy with blond hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet, 1 inch tall. He was believed to be wearing blue “Sonic the Hedgehog” pajamas.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart told reporters during the search that authorities were using many methods to find the boy.
“We have a lot of different tools in place and we’re going to continue to search until our resources are exhausted,” Gayheart said.
Less than a week after the boy was reported missing, police say they uncovered an alleged ruse. Troopers say Gross admitted her role in her son’s death during an interview at the Jackson Police Department headquarters.
According to an arrest citation, Gross confessed to providing Jayden with a type of sleeping medication. She believed the medication caused a medical emergency that led to his death. The confession resulted in police finding the boy’s body on Tuesday afternoon.
During a press conference that night, Gayheart said the boy’s remains were discovered at about 3 p.m., buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area on Canoe Road in Jackson. The mother’s confession led to the discovery of the grave, which was about 19 miles southwest of the family’s home on Panbowl Branch Road.
The citation notes that Gross told investigators that she had transported her son’s body to the wooded area near the mouth of Joe Little Fork. A search warrant was prepared and executed on the property, and Jayden’s remains were located buried underground in a plastic tote.
Authorities also allege Gross instructed her other children to lie about their brother’s death as the search went on.
The defendant also wrote a handwritten note pleading for the public’s help in finding Jayden, according to state police.
The arrest citation mentions that two of Jayden’s siblings were interviewed at the Care Cottage in Hazard, a child advocacy center. Gross admitted to “coaching” the siblings on what to say during the interview, the citation reads.
Jayden’s aunts questioned the parents’ story last week. One of his aunts told WKYT, “He’s a good boy. He is very sweet, loving. He is very hyperactive. He likes to be on the go 24/7.” She also said he did not like insects or the dark and that it seemed “unreal” he would go up into the hills.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King spoke at the press conference on Tuesday night, as reported by WTVQ.
“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,” King said. “I would like to assure the public that now, thanks to these guys, Jayden is now in good hands, and we’re gonna take care of him.”
Felicia Gross appeared in court via video on Thursday afternoon. A judge appointed her a public defender and entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.
An autopsy is pending for Jayden to determine his precise cause of death.
Gross is being held at the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Mother’s Confession Leads Police to Jayden Spicer’s Body
Kentucky police arrested Felicia Gross on manslaughter charges after she admitted her role in her 10-year-old son’s death and burial in a shallow grave.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 19, 2025 8:30 am ET
Left: Felicia Gross (Kentucky River Regional Jail) Right: Jayden Spicer (Kentucky State Police)
JACKSON, KY — A 10-year-old boy reported missing has been found dead, and police have arrested his mother on multiple charges related to his death and an alleged coverup.
Felicia Gross, 33, faces charges that include second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Jayden Spicer, 10, was reported missing on Aug. 6 in Jackson, a small town about 100 miles southeast of Lexington. According to LEX 18 News, his parents told police he went to sleep the night before but was gone the next morning.
State troopers devoted many resources to the search. Jayden was described as a slim boy with blond hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet, 1 inch tall. He was believed to be wearing blue “Sonic the Hedgehog” pajamas.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart told reporters during the search that authorities were using many methods to find the boy.
“We have a lot of different tools in place and we’re going to continue to search until our resources are exhausted,” Gayheart said.
Less than a week after the boy was reported missing, police say they uncovered an alleged ruse. Troopers say Gross admitted her role in her son’s death during an interview at the Jackson Police Department headquarters.
According to an arrest citation, Gross confessed to providing Jayden with a type of sleeping medication. She believed the medication caused a medical emergency that led to his death. The confession resulted in police finding the boy’s body on Tuesday afternoon.
During a press conference that night, Gayheart said the boy’s remains were discovered at about 3 p.m., buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area on Canoe Road in Jackson. The mother’s confession led to the discovery of the grave, which was about 19 miles southwest of the family’s home on Panbowl Branch Road.
The citation notes that Gross told investigators that she had transported her son’s body to the wooded area near the mouth of Joe Little Fork. A search warrant was prepared and executed on the property, and Jayden’s remains were located buried underground in a plastic tote.
Authorities also allege Gross instructed her other children to lie about their brother’s death as the search went on.
The defendant also wrote a handwritten note pleading for the public’s help in finding Jayden, according to state police.
The arrest citation mentions that two of Jayden’s siblings were interviewed at the Care Cottage in Hazard, a child advocacy center. Gross admitted to “coaching” the siblings on what to say during the interview, the citation reads.
Jayden’s aunts questioned the parents’ story last week. One of his aunts told WKYT, “He’s a good boy. He is very sweet, loving. He is very hyperactive. He likes to be on the go 24/7.” She also said he did not like insects or the dark and that it seemed “unreal” he would go up into the hills.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King spoke at the press conference on Tuesday night, as reported by WTVQ.
“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,” King said. “I would like to assure the public that now, thanks to these guys, Jayden is now in good hands, and we’re gonna take care of him.”
Felicia Gross appeared in court via video on Thursday afternoon. A judge appointed her a public defender and entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.
An autopsy is pending for Jayden to determine his precise cause of death.
Gross is being held at the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Mother’s Confession Leads Police to Jayden Spicer’s Body
Kentucky police arrested Felicia Gross on manslaughter charges after she admitted her role in her 10-year-old son’s death and burial in a shallow grave.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 19, 2025 8:30 am ET
Left: Felicia Gross (Kentucky River Regional Jail) Right: Jayden Spicer (Kentucky State Police)
JACKSON, KY — A 10-year-old boy reported missing has been found dead, and police have arrested his mother on multiple charges related to his death and an alleged coverup.
Felicia Gross, 33, faces charges that include second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Jayden Spicer, 10, was reported missing on Aug. 6 in Jackson, a small town about 100 miles southeast of Lexington. According to LEX 18 News, his parents told police he went to sleep the night before but was gone the next morning.
State troopers devoted many resources to the search. Jayden was described as a slim boy with blond hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet, 1 inch tall. He was believed to be wearing blue “Sonic the Hedgehog” pajamas.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart told reporters during the search that authorities were using many methods to find the boy.
“We have a lot of different tools in place and we’re going to continue to search until our resources are exhausted,” Gayheart said.
Less than a week after the boy was reported missing, police say they uncovered an alleged ruse. Troopers say Gross admitted her role in her son’s death during an interview at the Jackson Police Department headquarters.
According to an arrest citation, Gross confessed to providing Jayden with a type of sleeping medication. She believed the medication caused a medical emergency that led to his death. The confession resulted in police finding the boy’s body on Tuesday afternoon.
During a press conference that night, Gayheart said the boy’s remains were discovered at about 3 p.m., buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area on Canoe Road in Jackson. The mother’s confession led to the discovery of the grave, which was about 19 miles southwest of the family’s home on Panbowl Branch Road.
The citation notes that Gross told investigators that she had transported her son’s body to the wooded area near the mouth of Joe Little Fork. A search warrant was prepared and executed on the property, and Jayden’s remains were located buried underground in a plastic tote.
Authorities also allege Gross instructed her other children to lie about their brother’s death as the search went on.
The defendant also wrote a handwritten note pleading for the public’s help in finding Jayden, according to state police.
The arrest citation mentions that two of Jayden’s siblings were interviewed at the Care Cottage in Hazard, a child advocacy center. Gross admitted to “coaching” the siblings on what to say during the interview, the citation reads.
Jayden’s aunts questioned the parents’ story last week. One of his aunts told WKYT, “He’s a good boy. He is very sweet, loving. He is very hyperactive. He likes to be on the go 24/7.” She also said he did not like insects or the dark and that it seemed “unreal” he would go up into the hills.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King spoke at the press conference on Tuesday night, as reported by WTVQ.
“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,” King said. “I would like to assure the public that now, thanks to these guys, Jayden is now in good hands, and we’re gonna take care of him.”
Felicia Gross appeared in court via video on Thursday afternoon. A judge appointed her a public defender and entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.
An autopsy is pending for Jayden to determine his precise cause of death.
Gross is being held at the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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