FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (TCN) — A 22-year-old mother has been charged with multiple crimes for allegedly failing to intervene when her son’s father abused him “by torturous means,” then disposed of his body after he died.
The 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced Monday, Dec. 30, that Wendy Bailey was arrested and taken into custody on charges of aggravated child abuse, first-degree domestic violence, abuse of a corpse, and criminally negligent homicide. The first three charges relate to the suspected death of her son, Kahleb Collins, whereas the criminally negligent homicide refers to a car crash that killed her husband, 40-year-old Steven Collins, and her unrestrained 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh Collins.
The investigation began Dec. 8 when Fayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted Alabama State Patrol troopers at an accident scene on County Road 73. Officials learned Kahleb Collins was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, which soon prompted an Amber Alert. Photos of the crash shared by WAFB-TV show Steven Collins’ black truck completely totaled and wrapped around a tree. The truck seems to have separated from the back wheels.
Kahleb Collins has reportedly not been seen since Sept. 4.
Court records published by WIAT-TV allege Steven Collins texted Bailey “that he was going to kill Kahleb” and shared a photo of the child hanging by a rope. Another picture reportedly showed the 1-year-old on the ground with bruising all over his body. Steven Collins reportedly said in a message after the photo of Kahleb Collins on the ground, “He want [sic] move” and “I’m so sorry.”
Steven Collins reportedly later messaged that the boy was moving again, to which Bailey allegedly replied, “He just looks wore out and tired and hurt and hopefully that’s all.”
Prosecutors wrote in court documents that Bailey “failed to intervene or notify law enforcement after she was made aware of the extreme circumstances and assault that had occurred to Kahleb Collins.” Her child abuse affidavit alleges Kahleb Collins was “physically abused by tortuous means.”
Officials believe Bailey put her son’s body in a bag and left it outside of a storage facility “for a brief period prior to final disposal at an unknown location.”
She is in custody at the Fayette County Jail and is awaiting a bond hearing.
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