Honk News – A 1-year-old found ‘missing’ following the tragic death of his 2-year-old sister in a fatal accident is now thought to have been dead ‘for some time,’ with their mother facing charges in connection to both fatalities.
An Alabama mother, aged 22, faces accusations of murdering her 1-year-old son, who is now believed to be dead after being missing for several months, despite the missing report being filed just a few weeks ago.
Wendy Pamela Bailey was arrested on Monday and faces charges of aggravated child abuse, first-degree domestic violence, and abuse of a corpse related to the suspected death of young Kahleb Rowan Collins, according to authorities.
Bailey is now facing another charge of criminally negligent homicide related to the tragic death of her 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh Collins. Authorities report that Ryleigh was unrestrained in the backseat of a vehicle driven by her father, while Bailey was a passenger. This incident occurred just one day before Kahleb was reported missing, according to the District Attorney’s Office for the 24th Judicial Circuit of Alabama.
District Attorney Andy Hamlin stated, “This investigation has been particularly challenging as it involved the tragic deaths of two young children.” “I would like to recognize the hard work and collaboration demonstrated by all agencies involved: the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and the Alabama State Troopers.”
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office announced that on Dec. 8, they aided Alabama State Police troopers at the site of a car accident on County Road 73 near the Glen Allan community. The accident resulted in the deaths of Ryleigh and her father, 40-year-old Steven Bradley Collins. Bailey, a passenger in the vehicle, was airlifted to UAB Hospital for treatment and is in critical condition.
A report from Birmingham NBC affiliate WVTM revealed that Collins was driving at 92 mph and exhibiting aggressive behavior on a wet road right before the accident.
Following the tragic accident, officials learned that Collins and Bailey had “another child that was missing,” who was later identified as Kahleb.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the boy’s location, with the sheriff’s office reaching out to the 24th Circuit District Attorney’s Office and the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation for help in locating the toddler.
The sheriff’s office released an updated statement indicating that the investigation suggests [Kahleb] is no longer alive. “Authorities continue to search for his remains, but his body has yet to be found.” Authorities suspect that Kahleb had been dead for a while before his disappearance was reported to the police following the December 8 crash that resulted in the deaths of his father, Collins, and his 2-year-old sister, Ryleigh.
A report from Birmingham CBS affiliate WIAT reveals that investigators found Kahleb has not been seen alive since September 9. On December 11, John Bailey, the grandfather and legal custodian of the toddler, was arrested and charged with failing to report a missing child.
If you have any information that could help with the investigation, please reach out to authorities at 205-932-3205.