A teen babysitter in Kentucky is facing multiple charges, including murder, after police say an 11-month-old child was found dead after the father returned home from work.
According to the Central City Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance call around 5:10 p.m. on Saturday on Harrison Avenue.
When officers arrived, the child's father told police his 11-month-old son had been left in the care of 19-year-old Elijah Mayes while he was at work.
Police said Mayes initially told investigators that a family friend had picked up the child around 10 p.m. on Friday. However, officers interviewed that individual, and they reportedly denied picking up the child.
A relative later told investigators the last time they saw the child with Mayes was at a residence on Hillview Street in Cleaton on Friday.
As the investigation continued, police executed search warrants at properties in Central City and Cleaton. Investigators said suspected methamphetamine was found at the Harrison Avenue residence.
During a search of a home in Cleaton, officers found the child dead inside the residence.
Mayes was arrested and held at the Muhlenberg County Detention Center. In addition to murder, he has been charged with first-degree criminal abuse, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse and first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
The investigation remains ongoing. No additional details about the child's death have been released.
This story was originally published by the Scripps News Group in Lexington, Kentucky.
