Charges in the Case of Missing 10-Year-Old
Authorities have charged a mother in connection with the death of her 10-year-old son, whose body was found buried in a dense wooded area in Breathitt County, Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced the discovery during a press conference, specifying that they located Jaden Spicer’s remains around 3 PM on Tuesday.
The Breathitt County Coroner’s Office declared Jaden deceased, and his body was set to be sent to the state medical examination room in Frankfort for an autopsy, as per statements from Trooper Matt Gayheart.
The boy’s mother, Felicia Gross, 33, from Jackson, is facing charges that include second-degree manslaughter, abuse of a body, tampering with physical evidence, and misreporting the case. She is currently in custody at the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
On August 7, Gross released a public statement expressing her love for Jaden, saying, “If anyone sees him, I want him to be safe at home,” while asking people to contact the Jackson Police Department with any information. However, officials now believe she may have been aware of her son’s fate when she made that appeal.
Gross told investigators that Jaden went missing after he allegedly consumed a drug, which led to a “medical emergency” resulting in his death. She mentioned she left his body in the wooded area and urged law enforcement to conduct a search there.
Family members, including Jaden’s aunts, have expressed skepticism about the details surrounding his disappearance before the discovery of his body. One aunt questioned several aspects of the case, indicating, “There are a few things that don’t suit this case.” She, along with other family members, seems to have had doubts about the information they were receiving.
As the investigation has shifted from searching for a missing person to an active criminal case, officials have stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the inquiry to ensure justice for Jaden. A representative for the Commonwealth noted that while the outcome wasn’t desired, they were grateful to have brought him out of the woods.
