What began as a frantic search for a missing child ended in heartbreak and an arrest as the tragedy shifted from a missing-persons case to a harrowing criminal investigation.
The search for Jayden Spicer came to a tragic end nearly a week after he was reported missing. On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, troopers discovered the boy’s body buried in a shallow grave off Canoe Road — a remote area roughly 19 miles from his home on Panbowl Branch Road.Spicer was last seen on the night of Wednesday, August 6, reportedly wearing blue Sonic the Hedgehog pajamas. According to Kentucky State Police, his mother, 33-year-old Felicia Gross, told authorities he had vanished overnight.
Over the next six days, search teams combed approximately 20 square miles of rugged terrain with the help of aircraft, drones, K-9s, sonar, and thermal imaging. Despite their exhaustive efforts, no sign of Spicer surfaced — until troopers received a tip that redirected their focusHis body was found around 3 p.m., placed in a tote and buried in a shallow grave near the mouth of Joe Little Fork. Following the discovery, Gross was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and falsely reporting an incident.
Court documents later revealed additional charges for witness tampering after it was discovered she had coached her other children on what to say duringIn a statement to law enforcement on August 12, Gross claimed she had given Spicer a sleeping medication, which caused a “medical emergency.” Believing he had died, she allegedly transported his body to the wooded area where he was later found.
His remains were sent to the state medical examiner’s office for autopsy. The investigation has since shifted from a missing-persons case to an ongoing criminal inquiry.Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart stated that certain details are being withheld to preserve the integrity of the case.
“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,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King during a press briefing the night of the discovery.In the days leading up to the discovery, the community of Jackson rallied in support. On August 10, resident Jeff Turner offered a $500 reward for information, prompting dozens of others to contribute.
Over $3,000 was raised in total, and Kentucky priest Father Jim Sichko pledged an additional $2,000 for Spicer’s safe return. It remains unclear whether the reward played a role in leading authorities to the boy’s location.After the tragic discovery, Father Sichko also offered to cover the funeral expenses. Then, as the community mourned, grief intensified after FOX 56 obtained court documents outlining Gross’s criminal history.
According to reports, she had previously been charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in 2017 and served jail time in 2020 following two separate arrests on drug and firearm charges.Spicer had been living with his grandmother, who raised him until her death just three months earlier. A post from a family member on social media clarified that Spicer’s aunt, Samantha Brunty, had been caring for him until the grandmother passed away.
According to the post, custody reverted to Gross automatically, with child protective services reportedly approving the arrangement. The family urged the public to stop spreading misinformation, stating they had been searching for Spicer on their own while grieving and doing their best to bring him home.
Gross made her first court appearance on August 14, where a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. As the community mourns, Gayheart acknowledged the immense effort from both law enforcement and volunteers.
Thank you to every person that sent tips or even shared a social media post,” he said. “Thank you for the many prayers that were prayed, and we ask that you continue to pray for a community that grieves during this tragic loss.”
