Mother offers new courtroom excuse over death of baby boy with sad eyes
Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, 23, and her father, John Elton Bailey, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence, abuse of a corpse and aggravated child abuse, claiming 'mental disease or defect'.
They were charged after human remains believed to be Bailey's one-year-old son Kahleb Collins were discovered on the family's Alabama property in May.
Investigators realized Kahleb was missing after his father, Steven Collins, and his two–year–old sister, Ryleigh, were killed in a car accident in Fayette County on December 8.
Bailey was also in the car accident and sustained injuries that landed her in hospital, prompting the police to ask questions about her son's whereabouts.
They eventually determined that the baby had last been seen on September 9.
Bailey was arrested and charged in connection to her son's death on December 30 last year.
Human remains believed to be Kahleb's were found near a burn pile on the family's property in Fayette, according to investigators who have yet to formally provide a positive identification.
The baby had been restrained with zip ties at least twice and suspended from the ceiling, according to court documents.
A grand jury indictment dated March 19 listed six charges against Bailey, including aggravated child abuse, four counts of first degree domestic violence assault and abuse of corpse.
According to the indictment Bailey, 'did torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat, or otherwise maltreat the said KRC [Khaleb] by acts taking place on more than two occasions'.
The grand jury filings detailed how Bailey allegedly 'did cause serious physical injury' by binding or tying Kahleb with zip ties or ligatures to a chair or other object.
Kahleb was restrained or suspended from a ceiling, according to the court documents.
Kahleb's father allegedly sent pictures to Bailey of their son hanging from a rope with blood on his body, as well as a photo of him lying on the floor with extreme bruising, followed by the messages, 'He want [sic] move,' and 'Im [sic] so sorry,' according to court records obtained by WBRC.
Collins then sent a message stating, 'He moving' to which Ms. Bailey responded, 'He just looks wore out and tried [sic] and hurt hopefully that's all,' according to court records.
Kahleb's body was placed in a bag and stored outside prior to disposal, according to court documents.
Bailey also allegedly told investigators that Collins sent her a text message saying he was going to kill their son.
The mother's domestic violence and child abuse charges stem from incidents in July 2024.
The abuse of the corpse allegedly happened on September 29, weeks after Kahleb's last confirmed sighting on September 4, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
'This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved Kahleb,' Sheriff Byron Yerby of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office said.
'While this discovery brings a measure of closure, it is also a solemn reminder of the responsibility we all share in protecting our children. We are committed to continuing the pursuit of justice in this case.'
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