Jayden Spicer missing: Kentucky mom arrested after son found dead — she begged for help finding him

A heartbreaking tragedy has unfolded in Breathitt County, Kentucky, where 10-year-old Jayden Spicer was reported missing on August 6, 2025. After days of public pleas from his mother, Felicia A. Gross, Spicer’s body was discovered on August 12 in a shallow grave.

Subsequently, Gross was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and falsely reporting a missing child.

Spicer’s disappearance and search efforts

Spicer was last seen on the evening of August 5 at his home in Jackson, Kentucky. His mother reported him missing the following morning, and an extensive search operation was launched. Authorities employed drones, K-9 units, and sonar technology to search for the missing child. Despite these efforts, Spicer’s whereabouts remained unknown until a breakthrough came on August 12.

That day, Kentucky State Police received new information that led them to a wooded area off Canoe Road in Breathitt County. There, they discovered Spicer’s remains buried in a plastic tote. The body was sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

A mother’s confession and arrest

Following the discovery, Gross was taken into custody. In a police interview, she admitted to giving her son a type of sleeping medication, believing it caused a fatal medical emergency. Gross stated that in a panic, she buried his body in a wooded area.

Additionally, she allegedly coached two of Spicer’s siblings on what to say during their police interviews. These actions led to charges of manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, falsely reporting an incident, and witness tampering, according to Lexington’s WKYT.

Spicer had recently returned to live with his mother after the death of his great-grandmother, who had been his primary caregiver. This transition may have been challenging for the young boy, adding complexity to the circumstances surrounding his death.

The community of Jackson has been left in shock by the events. Family members, including Spicer’s aunts, had previously expressed concerns about inconsistencies in the information provided during the search.

One aunt remarked, “There’s some stuff that just doesn’t add up.” Though the investigation continues, authorities have not released further details to protect the integrity of the case. Gross is being held at the Kentucky River Regional Jail and is awaiting arraignment.