Kahleb Collins. (Credit score: Fayette County Sheriff’s Workplace)
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. – Alabama authorities imagine they’ve discovered the stays of a toddler lacking since final 12 months.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned the stays of one-year-old Kahleb Collins had been discovered final week in a burn pile within the household’s residence.
The backstory:
Authorities mentioned Kahleb was initially reported lacking by his mom following a automotive crash in December 2024. The crash additionally killed one other two-year-old baby, who was unrestrained, and the daddy, who later succumbed to his accidents.
His mom, Wendy Pamela Bailey, was injured within the crash.
Nonetheless, the mom informed investigators that Kahleb died and that his physique was saved in a bag in a storage shed earlier than being moved, in keeping with a legal grievance filed in December.
Investigators suspect Kahleb died in September or October, in keeping with the grievance.
Bailey was arrested in December on fees of kid abuse, home violence, and abuse of a corpse.
What they’re saying:
“This can be a heartbreaking consequence, and our ideas and prayers are with all those that cherished Kahleb,” Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby mentioned. “Whereas this discovery brings a measure of closure, it is usually a solemn reminder of the accountability all of us share in defending our youngsters. We’re dedicated to persevering with the pursuit of justice on this case.”
Investigators imagine the boy’s father, Steven Bradley “Brad” Collins, had bodily abused Kahleb, in keeping with the courtroom information. The costs accuse the mom of failing to report or intervene within the abuse and of understanding about his physique being positioned in an out of doors storage shed.
The grievance particulars among the alleged abuse. It notes that in July, Steven Collins despatched Bailey footage of the bloodied boy hanging from a rope and of him mendacity bruised on the ground.
Investigators mentioned he then despatched messages saying, “He need transfer” and “I’m so sorry” and eventually “He shifting.” Investigators mentioned Bailey replied, “He simply seems to be wore out and drained and hopefully that’s all.”
What’s subsequent:
Along with Bailey already being charged, authorities have additionally charged Kahleb’s grandfather, John Elton Bailey.
The Supply: The Related Press contributed to this report. The data on this story comes from statements by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Workplace, particulars from a legal grievance filed in December 2024, and courtroom information associated to the investigation. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
