Parents Of Saylor Hayes Arrested In Investigation Into Her Death
An extensive investigation led to the arrests of her parents, John Herb Hayes III and Geordyn Nichole Hayes. They were both detained in Carter County, Tennessee.
The parents of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes have been arrested and charged.
Saylor was reported missing on Aug. 30 after she reportedly wandered from a home on Old Waccamaw Drive in the Pawleys Island area. Following a search involving multiple agencies and community members on land and water, her body was recovered Aug. 31 from the water near Hagley Landing.
Newly released arrest warrants allege that Saylor’s parents knew she was not wearing the Project Lifesaver Transmitter she usually wears when she disappeared, even after advising officials to use the tracking technology to assist in the search.
The warrants claim that the device had been removed before the family left their Virginia home. It was later located inside a vehicle at their home, over 300 miles from where they were vacationing in Georgetown County.
The arrest warrants also claim that the parents discouraged search efforts toward the nearby water and that Saylor was left unsupervised around 15 meters from a body of water.
An extensive investigation led to the arrests of her parents, John Herb Hayes III and Geordyn Nichole Hayes. They were both detained in Carter County, Tennessee. Each is charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing harm, or willfully abandoning a child.
Saylor was described as a vulnerable child with a known affinity for water and history of elopement. The parents were arrested based on evidence developed during the investigation that remains underway.
“Saylor was a vulnerable 5-year-old child who depended upon the adults responsible for her care and protection. She deserved to be safe. She deserved to be protected,” Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver said.
