Breathitt County Circuit Court officials announced Friday that the murder trial of Felicia Gross and her husband Joshua Gross has been continued until Jan. 8, 2027. The decision follows a pre‑trial conference in which both the prosecution and defense agreed additional time was needed to examine the autopsy report for 10‑year‑old Jayden Spicer.
Charges and background
Felicia Gross faces multiple charges, including murder, false reporting of an incident, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse, and witness tampering. Joshua Gross is charged with complicity to murder and related offenses. Both defendants have entered not‑guilty pleas.
Jayden’s body was discovered on Aug. 12, 2025, along Canoe Road in Jackson, six days after he was reported missing. Authorities say his remains were found buried in a plastic tote in a wooded area near Joe Little Fork Road.
Autopsy and alleged confession
The autopsy results have not been released to the public, but court filings indicate they are central to the case. A citation released earlier this month reported that Felicia Gross confessed to giving her son a sleeping medication and later claimed the child died from a “medical emergency.” She also admitted to moving the body to the burial site and coaching her younger children on what to say to police.
Legal complications
In October 2025, the Gross defense team sought to disqualify an attorney who had previously represented both defendants, arguing a conflict of interest could jeopardize Felicia Gross’s right to a fair defense. The attorney subsequently filed a motion to withdraw from the case.
Legislative response
In response to the tragedy, Kentucky state lawmakers began drafting “Jayden’s Law” in January 2026. The proposed legislation aims to close gaps in the state’s child‑protection statutes, though specific provisions have not yet been released.
Next steps
The court’s continuance gives prosecutors and defense attorneys additional time to review the autopsy findings and prepare for trial. The case remains under active investigation, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
