The remains of a missing Alabama toddler, presumed dead last year, were discovered in a “burn pile” near his family’s home. Authorities confirmed on Thursday that the body of 1-year-old Kahleb Collins, who has been missing for eight months, was discovered on the property of his mother, Wendy Pamela Bailey, who is currently in jail on multiple felony charges.
According to a news release from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, authorities searched the area several times before discovering the burn pit, which appeared to contain human remains. An anthropologist was called in and confirmed that the remains were those of a human child, which were then sent to forensics for formal identification.
In an unusual turn of events, Kahleb was initially reported missing following a fatal car accident late last year that killed his father, Steven Collins, and his 2-year-old sister, Ryleigh. Bailey, the vehicle’s passenger, was also seriously injured in the accident.
As previously reported, the fatal collision occurred on December 8, 2024, on County Road 73 in Glen Allan, Alabama. Collins was reportedly driving aggressively at speeds exceeding 90 mph on the wet road just before the crash. Authorities stated that Ryleigh was not restrained in a car seat at the time of the collision.
Following the fatal accident, authorities learned that Collins and Bailey had “another child that was unaccounted for,” later identified as Kahleb.
Detectives immediately launched an investigation into the boy’s whereabouts, and the sheriff’s office contacted the 24th Circuit District Attorney’s Office and the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation to aid in the search for the toddler.
“Based on the results of this investigation, it is believed that [Kahleb] is deceased,” according to a sheriff’s office press release. “His body has not been recovered, but law enforcement is still actively gathering information and searching for his remains.” Investigators believe Kahleb had been dead for some time before his disappearance was discovered by law enforcement following the Dec. 8 single-vehicle crash that killed his father, [Collins], and his 2-year-old sister, [Ryleigh].
Investigators quickly discovered that Kahleb hadn’t been seen alive since September 9, 2024.
On December 11, 2024, John Bailey, the toddler’s grandfather and legal custodian, was arrested and charged with one count of failing to report a missing child. A grand jury indicted him and Wendy Bailey for additional charges last month.
Wendy Bailey was charged with four counts of first-degree domestic violence, criminally negligent homicide, aggravated child abuse, and abuse of a corpse. John Bailey faces the same charges, as well as an additional count of first-degree hindering prosecution.
“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who loved Kahleb,” Sheriff Byron Yerby said in a statement. “While this discovery provides some closure, it also serves as a sobering reminder of the shared responsibility for protecting our children. We are committed to pursuing justice in this case.