How a Fatal Crash Revealed that Missing Boy, 1, Was ‘Hung’ by Rope, Bloodied in Photo Dad Sent to Mom

Mar. 15, 2025

Steven Bradley Collins, Wendy Pamela Bailey, Kahleb Collins.Photo:Facebook

Facebook

Kahleb Collins, 1, was last seen in September 2024 in Winfield, Ala., according to theAlabama Law Enforcement Agency(ALEA).

Police only learned of his disappearance in December, when his father Steven Bradley Collins and sister RyLeigh Denise Collins died in a car crash. Kahleb is now presumed dead, theFayette County Sheriff’s Officesaid on Dec. 30.

Kahleb’s mother Wendy Pamela Bailey, who was critically injured in the crash, has since beenarrested on several charges, including domestic violence.

The investigation into Kahleb’s disappearance led police to unearth gruesome details of alleged abuse authorities say the boy suffered.

At one point in the text exchange, Bailey responded, “He just looks wore out and tire (sic) and hurt hopefully that’s all.”

Steven also allegedly told Bailey that he was going to kill the child.

Bailey is accused of failing to report or intervene during physical abuse, court filings show, per AL.com, WVTM 13 and WBMA.

Police further allege Kahleb was killed, placed in an outdoor storage shed and then moved to a location yet to be determined.

Kahleb Rowan Collins (left); and RyLeigh Denise Collins.Alabama Law Enforcement; Riser Funeral Homes

Alabama Law Enforcement; Riser Funeral Homes

The case has been shrouded in mystery from the beginning of the investigation as questions remain about the circumstances surrounding Kahleb’s disappearance.

“He is not growing and has major back issues. His organs are growing but not his body,” Steven wrote in the post.

“Keep him in your prayers. Been rough and just seems going to be a long rough tough road ahead of us,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, a neighbor toldWWMTthat while they were aware the family had a son, they never saw the boy.

Wendy Pamela Bailey (left); and John Bailey.Fayette County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook; Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook; Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

Bailey has beenchargedwith abuse of a corpse, aggravated child abuse and domestic violence. She was also charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with the death of RyLeigh, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

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The children’s grandfather John Elton Bailey is also under arrest on a charge of failing to report Kahleb missing, the sheriff’s office previously told PEOPLE.

Plea and attorney information for Wendy and John were not immediately available.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com