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The parents of a nonverbal autistic 5-year-old girl who was found dead after going missing in South Carolina over the weekend made their first court appearance on Thursday.
John Herb Hayes III, 70, and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, were arrested Tuesday in connection with the disappearance and death of their daughter, Saylor Hayes. Both face charges including unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child, as well as misdirecting search efforts.
Court documents reveal a troubling history. Earlier this year, Geordyn Hayes was charged with child abuse and disregard for life, initially a felony but later reduced to a misdemeanor for delinquency of a minor.
She entered a deferred disposition plea, which means the case could be dismissed if she meets certain conditions like probation or community service. Another charge of cruelty or injury to a child was dismissed without prosecution.
The identity of the child involved in those allegations was not disclosed.
Additional court records show that in August 2023, the Hayes couple faced two counts of child abuse and neglect after two of their children tested positive for methadone and methamphetamine. The Department of Social Services conducted drug tests, with Geordyn testing positive for both methamphetamine and methadone, and John testing positive for methadone. Despite having methadone clinic cards, the parents reportedly could not explain how their children were exposed to the substances.
Saylor’s tragic disappearance prompted a large-scale search involving deputies, K-9 units, boats, emergency management teams, and hundreds of community volunteers. Her body was found on Monday.
According to arrest warrants, the parents allegedly placed Saylor “at an unreasonable risk of harm” by failing to provide proper supervision and safeguards appropriate for a nonverbal autistic child with a known tendency to wander and an affinity for water. After Saylor was reported missing, authorities say the parents misled search efforts by encouraging focus on tracking technology, despite knowing Saylor was not wearing her monitoring device.
The child had been fitted with a Project Lifesaver tracking device, designed for vulnerable individuals prone to wandering, but it was not on her at the time she was found. The device was discovered more than 300 miles away in Washington County, Virginia.
John and Geordyn Hayes appeared in court in Tennessee on Thursday, waiving their rights to an attorney and extradition, agreeing to return to South Carolina for prosecution. They remain in Tennessee custody awaiting transfer. A status hearing is scheduled for September 14.
The cause and manner of Saylor’s death remain undetermined pending autopsy results and further testing. Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver stated that after an extensive investigation, there was probable cause to charge the parents.
“Parents and caregivers have a fundamental responsibility to protect children who cannot protect themselves,” Weaver said. “When evidence shows a child has been placed in dangerous circumstances, law enforcement must take action.”