In the quiet town of Jackson, Kentucky, a chilling tale of betrayal and loss has gripped the community, leaving hearts heavy and questions unanswered. Ten-year-old Jayden Spicer, a boy whose life was cut tragically short, lies at the center of a case that has shocked Breathitt County and beyond. His mother, Felicia Gross, 33, and stepfather, Joshua Gross, 41, now face a litany of grave charges in connection to his death, painting a grim picture of deception, manipulation, and unimaginable cruelty.

The story began on August 6, 2025, when Felicia Gross reported her son missing, claiming he had vanished overnight from their home on Panbowl Branch Road. She described Jayden as last seen wearing blue “Sonic the Hedgehog” pajamas, sparking a frantic, near week-long search by authorities, volunteers, and a heartbroken community. Hundreds scoured the area, sharing posts on social media and clinging to hope that the boy would be found safe. But the truth, when it emerged, was far darker than anyone could have imagined.

On August 12, a tip led Kentucky State Police to a wooded area off Canoe Road, near Joe Little Fork, about 20 miles from the Gross family home. There, buried in a shallow grave inside a plastic tote, they discovered Jayden’s body. The discovery shattered the community’s hope and turned the spotlight on Felicia Gross, who soon confessed to a horrifying sequence of events. According to court documents, she admitted to giving Jayden sleeping medication, which she claimed triggered a “medical emergency” that led to his death. Instead of seeking help, she allegedly took his body to the remote location and buried it, attempting to conceal the tragedy.

Felicia’s initial charges of second-degree manslaughter were only the beginning. On August 18, 2025, a Breathitt County grand jury escalated her charges to murder, reflecting the severity of her alleged actions. Alongside the murder charge, she faces accusations of falsely reporting an incident, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and two counts of tampering with witnesses—allegedly coaching Jayden’s younger siblings on what to say during police interviews to cover her tracks. Her not guilty plea, entered by a judge on August 14, did little to quell the public’s outrage as details of her confession emerged.

Joshua Gross, Jayden’s stepfather, was also implicated in this gruesome affair. Indicted alongside his wife, he faces charges of complicity to murder, complicity to falsely reporting an incident, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and two counts of complicity to tampering with witnesses. Authorities allege that Joshua played a role in the cover-up, supporting Felicia’s efforts to mislead investigators and obscure the truth about Jayden’s death. Both Felicia and Joshua are being held at the Kentucky River Regional Jail on $1 million cash bonds, awaiting arraignment in Breathitt Circuit Court in September.

The case has revealed a troubling history for Felicia Gross. Court records show that in 2017, under her former name Felicia Spicer, she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor, serving a year in jail. While it remains unclear whether that case involved Jayden, it casts a shadow over her past interactions with Child Protective Services and raises questions about the environment in which Jayden and his siblings were raised. Additional records indicate that Felicia’s mother, Shirley Johnson, had sought child support from her as far back as 2013 and 2019, though details of those cases remain private.

The community of Breathitt County is reeling from the loss of young Jayden, described as a vibrant child whose life was stolen far too soon. The Commonwealth’s Attorney, Miranda King, expressed the collective grief, stating, “The community is devastated and heartbroken.” Yet, amidst the sorrow, acts of kindness have emerged. Father Jim Sichsko, a Missionary of Mercy, has pledged to cover the expenses of Jayden’s funeral, offering a small measure of comfort to a community grappling with such a profound loss.

As the legal process unfolds, Felicia and Joshua Gross remain in custody, their mugshots a stark reminder of the charges they face. The allegations against them—murder, complicity, tampering, and abuse—paint a picture of a calculated effort to hide a tragedy that has left a permanent scar on those who knew and loved Jayden. The road to justice will be long, but for now, the memory of a 10-year-old boy, buried in a plastic tote far from home, lingers in the hearts of all who hear his story. Rest in peace, Jayden Spicer. Your community mourns you, and your story will not be forgotten.