Remains of missing 1-year-old found in ‘burn pile’ at family’s home 5 months after dad and sibling killed in 90 mph car crash: Sheriff

The remains of a missing Alabama toddler who was presumed dormant past twelvemonth have been located successful a “burn pile” discovered adjacent his family’s home. Authorities connected Thursday confirmed that the assemblage of 1-year-old Kahleb Collins, who has been missing for 8 months, was recovered connected the spot of his mother, Wendy Pamela Bailey, who is currently jailed connected galore felony charges.

According to a news release from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, authorities had conducted aggregate searches of the country earlier discovering the pain pit, a information of which appeared to incorporate quality remains. An anthropologist was called successful and confirmed the remains were those of a quality child, which were subsequently sent to forensics for ceremonial identification.

In a bizarre bid of events, Kahleb was initially reported missing aft a fatal car clang precocious past twelvemonth that claimed the beingness of his father, Steven Collins, and 2-year-old sister, Ryleigh. The mishap besides near Bailey, who was a rider successful the vehicle, severely injured.

As previously reported, the fatal collision took spot connected Dec. 8, 2024, connected County Road 73 successful Glen Allan, Alabama. Collins was reportedly driving successful an assertive mode astatine speeds of implicit 90 mph connected the bedewed roadworthy conscionable anterior to the crash. Ryleigh was not restrained successful a car spot astatine the clip of the collision, authorities said.

In the aftermath of the fatal accident, authorities were notified that Collins and Bailey had “another kid that was unaccounted for,” aboriginal identified arsenic Kahleb.

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Detectives instantly opened an probe into the boy’s whereabouts, with the sheriff’s bureau besides contacting the 24th Circuit District Attorney’s Office and the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation to assistance successful the hunt for the toddler.

“Based connected the results of this investigation, it is believed that [Kahleb] is deceased,” a press release from the sheriff’s bureau stated. “His assemblage has not been recovered, though instrumentality enforcement teams are inactive actively gathering accusation and searching for his remains. Investigators judge Kahleb had been deceased for immoderate clip earlier his disappearance was brought to the attraction of instrumentality enforcement aft the Dec. 8, single-vehicle clang that claimed the lives of his father, [Collins], and 2-year-old sister, [Ryleigh].”

Investigators soon discovered that Kahleb had not been seen live since Sept. 9, 2024.

John Bailey, the toddler’s gramps and ineligible custodian, was arrested connected Dec. 11, 2024, and charged with 1 number of nonaccomplishment to study a missing child. Both helium and Wendy Bailey were indicted by a expansive assemblage past period connected further charges.

Wendy Bailey was indicted connected 4 counts of first-degree home violence, criminally negligent homicide, aggravated kid abuse, and maltreatment of a corpse. John Bailey is facing the aforesaid spate of charges positive an further number of first-degree hindering prosecution.

“This is simply a heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with each those who loved Kahleb,” Sheriff Byron Yerby said successful a statement. “While this find brings a measurement of closure, it is besides a solemn reminder of the work we each stock successful protecting our children. We are committed to continuing the pursuit of justness successful this case.”