Jayden Spicer Day proclaimed as community prepares to lay Jackson boy to rest

JACKSON, Ky. (FOX 56) — As the Breathitt County community mourns the loss of a 10-year-old boy, county officials are working to ensure his memory is never forgotten.

Jayden Spicer was reported missing by his mother, Felicia Gross, and stepfather, Joshua Gross, on Wednesday, Aug. 6. After an exhaustive search lasting nearly a week, Kentucky State Police said that Jayden’s mother came forward to lead investigators to where she allegedly buried her son.

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Felicia has since been indicted for first-degree murder, falsely reporting an incident, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and two counts of tampering with a witness. According to Commonwealth’s Attorney Miranda King, Joshua was found complicit and indicted for complicity to murder, complicity to false reporting of an incident, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and two counts of complicity to tampering with a witness.

On Thursday, Aug. 20, friends and family will lay Jayden to rest.

As the community prepares to remember the boy on Thursday, Judge Executive Jeff Noble proclaimed Aug. 21 as “Jayden Spicer Day” in Breathitt County.

“Though his years were brief, Jayden touched the lives of everyone around him. His laughter, his smile, and his kind spirit brought joy and light to his family, his friends, and to all of Breathitt County,” Noble wrote. “On this day, and always, let us remember Jayden with love, offer strength and prayers to his family, and be reminded to cherish every moment with those we hold dear.”

Breathitt Funeral Home announced in his obituary that a visitation would be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with a funeral following at 2 p.m. He will be laid to rest at his grandmother’s feet in the Molands Cemetery in Canoe, per funeral home staff.

All area first responders are invited to join the funeral procession to light up Breathitt County in Jayden’s favorite colors, red and blue.

The full proclamation can be read below:

Tomorrow, we will gather as a community with hearts full of love and sorrow to honor the life of Jayden Spicer, a precious 11-year-old whose time with us ended far too soon.

Though his years were brief, Jayden touched the lives of everyone around him. His laughter, his smile, and his kind spirit brought joy and light to his family, his friends, and to all of Breathitt County.

In recognition of his memory and the impact he made, I, Jeff Noble, Judge/Executive of Breathitt County, do hereby proclaim August 21, 2025, as “Jayden Spicer Day” in Breathitt County.

On this day, and always, let us remember Jayden with love, offer strength and prayers to his family, and be reminded to cherish every moment with those we hold dear.

Though he is no longer with us, his memory will live on forever in our hearts, a shining light of hope, love, and faith.
Breathitt County Fiscal Court

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