Crime
Missing 10-year-old Jayden Spicer found dead, mother confessed to killing him
BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. — Authorities have confirmed the tragic discovery of the body of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer, bringing a heartbreaking end to the days-long search in Jackson, Kentucky.
Jayden body was recovered in a shallow grave.
Kentucky State Police troopers confirmed at a press conference that Jayden Spicer’s mom, Felicia Gross, was charged with manslaughter, abuse of corpse, tampering with evidence and falsely reporting.
Gross was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
KSP confirmed that the body was sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for an autopsy.
Jayden was reported missing on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, after he was last seen at his mother’s residence on Panbowl Branch Road around 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) said they received the call at 9:23 a.m. Wednesday, prompting an immediate large-scale search effort involving KSP, Breathitt County Emergency Management, and multiple rescue crews. Teams utilized drones, ATVs, sonar equipment, and extensive ground searches over a 20-mile radius, with plans to expand operations if necessary.
The search was complicated by the region’s rugged, mountainous terrain and the proximity to waterways, including Panbowl Lake. “In this situation, we want to keep hope alive, but we are racing against the clock,” Trooper Gayheart stated during the search.
“Unfortunately, the more time someone spends exposed to the elements, the chances of finding them safely diminish.”
Jayden’s family had issued a public plea for information, urging anyone with tips to contact authorities.
Locals also joined the effort, reviewing home surveillance footage and checking surrounding wooded areas, which are known for hazards such as coyotes and snakes.
Sources within the community have made unconfirmed claims that Jayden’s mother, Felicia Spicer—also known as Felicia Gross—may have confessed to involvement in his death.
While these statements have circulated widely online, law enforcement has not yet confirmed this information. Public records indicate that Felicia Spicer has a prior arrest for child endangerment.
Neighbors expressed deep concern over the boy’s disappearance and the dangers posed by the environment. “There are a lot of coyotes, you’ve got snakes at night,” said resident Mildred Shannon. “A child, even a young adult, probably isn’t safe out in the woods. Everybody cares—you wouldn’t want your son or grandson lost out there.”
Jayden was described as a white male, approximately 5’1” tall with a slim build, blonde hair, and blue eyes. At the time he went missing, he was wearing blue Sonic the Hedgehog pajama pants and a matching shirt.
Authorities are expected to release further details regarding the discovery of Jayden’s body and the ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Kentucky State Police Post 13 at 606-435-6069.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.