A Virginia couple has been arrested in connection with the death of their 5-year-old daughter, who was found dead in waters near Pawleys Island, South Carolina, after going missing over the weekend. The child, identified as Saylor Hayes, was autistic and nonverbal, according to authorities.
Arrest and Charges
John Herb Hayes III, 70, and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, of Bristol, Virginia, were arrested Monday evening in Carter County, Tennessee. They face charges of unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child, as announced by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.
The couple is being held at the Carter County Detention Center without bond, pending an extradition hearing. As of Wednesday night, it was unclear whether they had obtained legal representation.
Discovery of the Child
Saylor was reported missing Sunday afternoon. Following an extensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies, her body was found Monday morning in the waters near Hagley Landing, a boat ramp leading to the Waccamaw River in Pawleys Island.
Details from the Affidavits
According to arrest warrant affidavits, on Sunday, the parents failed to provide supervision and safeguards appropriate for a severely nonverbal, autistic 5-year-old with a known affinity for water and a history of elopement. The child was left unsupervised within 15 meters of a body of water.
Authorities initially reported that Saylor’s mother said the child had wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates, last seen wearing her swimsuit. The affidavits also state that the parents encouraged search efforts to focus on using a Project Lifesaver transmitter, despite knowing Saylor was not wearing the device at the time. They also directed search efforts away from the nearby water.
Project Lifesaver Transmitter
Saylor had been enrolled in the Project Lifesaver program since June 2024, which provides wearable transmitters for individuals at risk of wandering due to cognitive conditions. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, which hosts the program, stated that the transmitter is attached with a specialized band that must be physically cut to be removed.
When South Carolina searchers could not detect Saylor’s frequency, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was asked to check the Hayes residence. Officers detected the frequency assigned to Saylor’s transmitter inside a vehicle on the property, confirming it was not with her when she went missing.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver called Saylor’s death “a heartbreaking tragedy” that has “deeply affected our community.” He emphasized that Saylor was a vulnerable child who depended on the adults responsible for her care and protection.
“Nothing we do can bring Saylor back,” Weaver said. “What we can do is pursue the truth, seek accountability through our justice system, and continue doing everything within our authority to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”