Boy Found Dead Inside Sofa After Caregiver Allegedly Gave Police False Story

A child-care investigation in Central City has turned into a murder case after a young boy was found dead inside a sofa, with police alleging that the caregiver initially gave investigators a false account of what happened.

On September 12, 2026, Central City police received a report at around 5:10 p.m. after Grayson’s father told authorities that his son was supposed to have been in the care of Mayes while he was at work.

According to investigators, Mayes initially claimed that a family friend had picked up Grayson at around 10 p.m. on September 11. Police later located the person Mayes identified, but the individual denied ever picking up the child.

A relative subsequently told investigators that Grayson was last seen with Mayes at a home on Hillview Street in Cleaton. Police searched Mayes’s residence and reported finding a substance they suspected to be methamphetamine.

Investigators then obtained a search warrant for the Hillview Street property. Inside the home, police discovered Grayson’s body concealed inside a sofa.

Records cited by local news outlets indicated that the child had multiple bruises and marks described as resembling bite marks. The exact circumstances and cause of the injuries remain matters for the investigation and court proceedings.

Police also alleged that Mayes attempted to support his original account by creating a fake phone number and sending messages to himself while pretending to be the person he claimed had taken Grayson. Investigators say the alleged messages were intended to make his story appear credible.

Mayes has been charged with murder, first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and possession of a controlled substance. The charges are allegations, and Mayes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The investigation also led to the arrest of Jeffery Barnett, a relative of Mayes and the owner of the home where Grayson’s body was discovered. Barnett was subsequently charged with tampering with physical evidence.

According to local sources cited by People, Mayes pleaded not guilty on September 17. He is scheduled to return to court on September 23, 2026, as prosecutors and investigators continue building the case.

Court records related to the search warrant have also been sealed. The Sun reported that the records are expected to remain sealed until March 17, 2027, limiting the public details currently available about the evidence collected during the search.

The case remains ongoing, and no final verdict has been reported.

Source: People.com