The parents were arrested in Tennessee Tuesday and charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk and abandonment.
Saylor was the subject of an intensive search after she was reported missing on the Island Sunday. Agencies from across the state and coast participated in the search by air, ground, and water. She was found dead Monday morning in a body of water by the family's rental house.
Arrest warrants accuse the parents of misleading law enforcement.
Deputies said Saylor, who was nonverbal with autism, usually wore a tracking device. Investigators say on the day of her death, the device was left in Virginia. The warrant alleges the parents directed parties to search away from the water.
“Nothing we do can bring Saylor back,” GCSO wrote in a statement. “What we can do is pursue the truth, seek accountability through our justice system, and continue doing everything within our authority to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Parents of Hayes are awaiting extradition back to Georgetown County.
“Saylor deserved to be safe. She deserved to be protected,” deputies said.
