A Virginia couple has been charged following the tragic death of their 5-year-old daughter, who was found deceased in South Carolina waters. John Herb Hayes III, 70, and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, from Bristol, were arrested on charges of unlawfully placing a child at risk and willfully abandoning a child, according to the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.
Saylor Hayes, described as autistic and nonverbal, went missing on Sunday. An extensive search led to the discovery of her body on Monday morning near Hagley Landing, a boat ramp connected to the Waccamaw River in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.
The parents are accused of failing to supervise their daughter appropriately. She had a known attraction to water and a history of wandering. On Sunday, they reportedly placed Saylor at risk by not providing necessary safeguards.
After her disappearance, the parents allegedly misled search efforts, encouraging the use of a Project Lifesaver tracker despite knowing Saylor was not wearing it. They also directed searches away from the nearby water.
Authorities stated that Saylor’s mother reported her missing after she wandered off from a rental home in Hagley Estates, dressed only in a swimsuit. Deputies had attempted to trace her using a Project Lifesaver transmitter, designed to help locate individuals at risk of wandering due to cognitive conditions.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia confirmed Saylor had a Project Lifesaver device since June 2024. However, it was removed before the family traveled to South Carolina. Officers later found the transmitter in a vehicle at the Hayes residence and not with Saylor, after her disappearance.
Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver expressed his sorrow over this event. He stated that Saylor depended on adults for her safety and deserved protection.
He emphasized the importance of pursuing truth and accountability, while also protecting vulnerable community members.
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