Authorities in Alabama are actively searching for a missing one-year-old boy whose disappearance only came to light following a tragic car accident earlier this month. The child, Kahleb Collins, was reportedly last seen in September, but it was not until the fatal crash on December 8 that his absence became known to law enforcement.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued an emergency alert for Kahleb, and teams have utilized tracking dogs to conduct searches at the family’s residence and surrounding property in Fayette County. Reports indicate that the investigation into the car crash revealed the existence of the missing child, alongside the grim details surrounding the incident which claimed the lives of his father, Steven Bradley “Brad” Collins, and his two-year-old sister, Ryleigh. Their mother, Wendy Bailey, sustained serious injuries in the crash.
District Attorney Andrew Hamlin emphasized the urgency of the investigation, describing it as the highest priority for all involved agencies. He noted that the boy was last seen on September 4, and officials have made an appeal to the public for any information that could assist in locating him. Hamlin cautioned the community against spreading unverified rumors related to the case, which have been circulating on social media.
Legal documents indicate that investigators harbor concerns regarding the boy’s well-being, suspecting potential harm. Furthermore, charges were brought against the boy’s grandfather, John Bailey, for failing to report the child as missing. The complaint asserts that this neglect was done with “willful and reckless disregard for the safety of the child,” potentially resulting in serious bodily injury or even death.
Bailey’s defense attorney, James Standridge, stated they are in the process of gathering more information about the case to understand the situation better. “All I can say is we are undergoing an investigation,” he commented, indicating that they anticipated further developments.
Additional court records show that prosecutors are reaching out to child welfare agencies to uncover any previous complaints related to the family. Information obtained from a Facebook post on November 6, authored by Brad Collins, noted that his son faced health challenges and required surgery, prompting a request for prayers from the community. However, the authenticity of the post has not been independently verified.