Community gathers to honor 10-year-old Jayden Spicer with balloons and prayers

BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Family, friends, and community members came together to honor the life of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer, who was laid to rest Thursday after his tragic death earlier this month.

Jayden, remembered as a bright and energetic child who loved life, was honored with red, blue, and Spider-Man balloons — a nod to his favorite superhero. Messages written on the balloons were released as part of his farewell.

Catholic Church “Missionary of Mercy” Father Jim Sichko, who has been present in the community since Jayden was first reported missing, said it was important to make sure the young boy received a proper burial.

“I wanted to make sure that Jayden had a proper farewell. That meant making sure that his casket was taken care of, the vault, the headstones, the gravestone,” Sichko said. “I just found out his grandmother, who he lived with, doesn’t have a proper gravestone. Purchased one for her.”

Sichko also encouraged those grieving to lean on one another for support. “Grief is a very difficult process, because each of us, just as we are all different, we grieve in different ways,” he said. “I recommend they talk about it, get proper assistance, and not be afraid to reach out to their church community, their school community, or myself.”

Jayden was reported missing on August 6 by his mother, Felicia Gross, and stepfather, Joshua Gross. Nearly a week later, state police found his body buried in a wooded area in Breathitt County. Both Felicia and Joshua are now facing charges in connection to his death. Felicia’s manslaughter charge was upgraded to murder, while Joshua faces complicity-related charges.

Sichko said the tragedy has revealed a greater lesson for the community.
“I think Jayden really does say to us, why did it take a horrific situation like this for us to come together and do these incredible acts of mercy and kindness?” he said. “We need to stop allowing our differences to create hostile environments. We are all people of God regardless of our ways, creeds, or way of life.”

Jayden will be remembered by the community as “forever 10.”