FAYETTE, Ala. — In a troubling development regarding the case of a missing toddler from Alabama, the child’s mother has allegedly informed law enforcement that her son has died. She claimed that his body was previously kept in a bag within a storage shed before being relocated, as stated in a criminal complaint submitted recently against her.
Authorities are still searching for the remains of 1-year-old Kahleb Collins, and as of now, they have no information about where his body was taken. The investigation suggests that Kahleb may have died sometime in September or October. However, his disappearance only came to light following a tragic incident on December 8, which resulted in the death of his father, Steven Bradley “Brad” Collins, and his 2-year-old sister. The boy’s mother, 22-year-old Wendy Pamela Bailey, suffered injuries in the crash.
Bailey was taken into custody on Monday, facing multiple charges including child abuse, domestic violence, and abuse of a corpse, as confirmed by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. She also faces charges of criminally negligent homicide due to her daughter not being secured in a child safety restraint during the December 8 accident.
Current court documents do not reveal whether Bailey has legal representation. The investigation has pointed towards the boy’s father as having allegedly physically mistreated Kahleb, with accusations claiming that Bailey neglected to report the abuse or take action to protect her child, fully aware of the circumstances surrounding his body being stored in an outside shed.
Details of the apparent abuse are troubling. It has been reported that in July, Steven Collins sent his partner harrowing images of the injured child, including one where Kahleb appeared to be hanging from a rope and another showcasing him bruised on the ground. Following this, he purportedly sent messages expressing remorse, stating “He want move” and “I’m so sorry,” before concluding with “He moving.” Bailey’s response indicated a concerning demeanor, suggesting that she hoped the boy was simply exhausted and nothing more.
According to the investigation, the fatal car crash occurred while the boy’s father was at the wheel. The inquiry remains ongoing as authorities seek more information regarding the circumstances surrounding Kahleb’s demise and the disposal of his body.
