After months of searching, Alabama authorities announced that they have found the remains of 1-year-old Kahleb Collins in a burn pile.
"This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved Kahleb," said Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby. "While this discovery brings a measure of closure, it is also a solemn reminder of the responsibility we all share in protecting our children. We are committed to continuing the pursuit of justice in this case."
Police believe that Kahleb disappeared sometime in September 2024, but they were unaware he was missing until a fatal car accident that claimed the life of his 2-year-old sibling. On December 8, 2024, 2-year-old Ryleigh Collins, who was unrestrained at the time, was killed in a car accident. Steven Bradley "Brad" Collins, the father, was mortally wounded in the accident and died on December 9. Police then determined that Kahleb was missing.
A subsequent investigation led to the arrests of Wendy Pamela Bailey and her father, John Elton Bailey. Wendy Bailey is charged with aggravated child abuse, four counts of first-degree domestic violence, corpse abuse, and criminally negligent homicide, AL.com reported. The negligent homicide charge stemmed from the fact that Ryleigh Collins was unrestrained at the time of the crash, with the remaining charges related to Kahleb.
John Bailey is charged with aggravated child abuse, four counts of first-degree domestic violence, corpse abuse, and hindering prosecution.
After the car crash, police discovered evidence of ongoing abuse by Steven Collins toward Kahleb. In charging documents, police accused Wendy Bailey of knowing about the abuse and not intervening, AL.com reported.
The website reported that in one example, Wendy Bailey received a text in which Collins said he was going to kill Kahleb. This was followed with pictures that showed Kahleb "hanging from a loft with a rope with blood present on his body," and another image of him lying on the ground with the message: "He want (sic) move. I'm so sorry."
