Jackson, KY – A search for a missing Breathitt County child ended in tragedy Tuesday after investigators located the remains of 10-year-old Jaden Spicer buried along Canoe Road in the Jackson community.
According to the Kentucky State Police, detectives with Post 13 in Hazard received new information earlier in the day that led them to expand their search area. The Breathitt County Coroner’s Office confirmed the child’s death at the scene, and the remains have been sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
Authorities say Jaden’s mother, Felicia A. Gross, 33, of Jackson, was taken into custody shortly after the discovery. She is charged with second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence. Gross was booked into the Kentucky River Regional Jail. The investigation, led by Detective Nathan Roark, remains ongoing, and police have withheld additional details to protect the integrity of the case.
State police said the case has shifted from a missing person investigation to an active criminal investigation. “It is our top priority to protect the integrity of this investigation to seek justice for Jaden,” a statement read.
Trooper Matt Gayheart thanked the many agencies and community members who assisted in the search. “All of the volunteers that spent numerous hours and days trying to locate him… 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,” Gayheart said.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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