In the quiet town of Denmark, South Carolina, a heart-wrenching incident unfolded, forever altering the lives of a young family. Two-year-old Hayden Mayes, a male toddler, was at his neighbor's home on a Saturday when a day of play turned into a scene of unimaginable tragedy. On September 13, 2014, the sound of a gunshot shattered the neighborhood's peace, and young Hayden was struck.
His mother, who was at her own home nearby, was suddenly faced with the horrific sight of her neighbor rushing over with her son in his arms, gravely wounded. Despite her frantic attempts to perform CPR, the injury was too severe.
The investigation into the shooting quickly focused on the neighbor, 44-year-old Sidney Davis. It was discovered that the firearm involved in the incident was a black Smith and Wesson. 40 caliber semi-automatic handgun that had been reported stolen from Augusta, Georgia. While the community grappled with the loss of such a young life, details about Davis's background began to emerge, painting a troubling picture.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Sidney Davis was taken into custody. However, the charges brought against him were not directly for the death of Hayden Mayes. Instead, he faced a series of other serious offenses. Authorities charged Davis with being a felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a stolen weapon, and additional charges for marijuana and drug paraphernalia found at his residence. The community was left to mourn the loss of a child, while the legal proceedings against the neighbor unfolded, centered on weapons and drug violations rather than the tragic death of the toddler. The State Law Enforcement Division continued to investigate the shooting itself, leaving a family and a community waiting for answers and a sense of justice for a life cut tragically short.
