Virginia Couple Charged After Daughter Found Dead in South Carolina

A Virginia couple, John Herb Hayes III and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, have been arrested following the tragic death of their 5-year-old daughter, Saylor Hayes, in the waters of South Carolina. Saylor, who was autistic and nonverbal, was reported missing on Sunday afternoon. Her body was discovered on Monday morning near Hagley Landing in Pawleys Island by local authorities who conducted a large-scale search.

The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office announced that the parents were taken into custody in Carter County, Tennessee. They face charges of unlawfully placing a child at risk and willful abandonment. The arrest warrants detailed that the couple did not provide adequate supervision for their daughter, whom they knew had a strong affinity for water and a history of wandering off.

Initially, Saylor’s mother claimed the child had wandered off from their rental home in Hagley Estates. The parents attempted to direct search efforts using a Project Lifesaver transmitter, which had been removed before their trip to South Carolina. Law enforcement agencies discovered that Saylor had been left unsupervised close to water, knowing she did not have her tracking device.

Sheriff Carter Weaver expressed the community’s sorrow, stating, “Saylor was a vulnerable five-year-old child who depended upon the adults responsible for her care and protection. She deserved to be safe. She deserved to be protected.”

The transmitter, essential for tracking individuals with cognitive conditions or special needs, was found inside a vehicle at the family’s Virginia residence. It had been removed in a way that required cutting the specialized band that secures it, contrary to the parents’ claims.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which manages the Project Lifesaver program Saylor had enrolled in June 2024, mentioned that they assisted Georgetown authorities by providing relevant information about the transmitter. They reaffirmed their commitment to finding and protecting individuals who are prone to wandering due to their conditions.

Sheriff Weaver emphasized the need for justice, stating that while nothing could bring Saylor back, they would continue to seek accountability through the justice system and strive to protect vulnerable community members.