Funeral services held for Jayden Spicer in Jackson

JACKSON, Ky. (FOX 56) — On August 6, 10-year-old Jayden Spicer was reported missing from his home. For days, the community and his family hoped for a safe return. But nearly a week later, he was found dead — and his own mother was charged with his murder.

On Thursday, the community came together to celebrate Jayden’s life and say goodbye.

“It’s awful, that baby didn’t deserve — the family didn’t deserve this… The one who gave him life is the one that took it,” said Jenni Rose with the Wolfe County Fire Department.

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Red and blue — Jayden’s favorite colors — lit up the dark and somber day in Jackson.

Balloons and lights from first responders across Kentucky led Jayden to his final resting place at Molands Cemetery. He was buried next to his grandmother in a Spiderman-themed casket.

“It’s respect for him. Everything is about a kid. You know, it’s not about us that we drove, this is about his final ride,” said Island Creek Volunteer Fire Chief Delisa Courtney.

Since Jayden’s body was discovered on August 12, the Breathitt County community has been grieving together — both those who knew him and those who didn’t.

Josh Miller, a Wolfe County firefighter who helped in the search, said the loss of a child hit home for him.

“I buried two of my own, it never gets better. It doesn’t get easier. You may think it does, but you’ll find yourself doing something and then it just, boom, hits ya,” Miller said.

Father Jim Sichko, who paid for Jayden’s funeral costs, said the grief is just beginning.

“This isn’t going to end today. Today really begins the journey of grief for not only this family, but the community,” Sichko said.

Even after the lights are turned off and the balloons deflate, Thursday, August 21 will stand as a lasting tribute. Breathitt County Judge Executive Jeff Noble has declared it Jayden Spicer Day — not only to remember Jayden, but as a call to hold loved ones closer.

“You never take anything for granted. I always say, make those memories, because you just don’t know,” Courtney said.

Father Jim also paid to ensure that both Jayden and his grandmother have proper headstones.