Fayette County Sheriff’s Office discovers remains believed to be missing 1-year-old Kahleb Collins

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it has discovered human remains they believe to be those of missing 1-year-old Kahleb Collins.

After multiple searches at the property, officers found what was believed to be the remains of Kahleb Collins in a burn pile at the family residence.

With assistance from an anthropologist, it was confirmed a portion of the items recovered from the burn pile were human remains.

The evidence was sent to forensics for official identification.

Collins was first reported missing after a fatal car crash involving his family on December 8, 2024.

Authorities say that crash took the life of a 2-year-old child who was not restrained and critically injured the child’s father - Steven Collins - who later died from his injuries on December 9.

On December 17, an Emergency Missing Child Alert was issued for Kahleb. Since that day, multiple agencies have been searching for him.

The boy’s mother and grandfather were indicted by a grand jury back in April.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, Wendy Pamela Bailey and John Elton Bailey have been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including domestic violence, abuse of a corpse, criminally negligent homicide, and aggravated child abuse.

“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved Kahleb,” said Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby. “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.”

District Attorney Andrew Hamlin has filed a petition with the Fayette County Circuit Court to revoke bond for both suspects, currently set at $1.8 million for each of them, under Aniah’s Law since both have now been charged with aggravated child abuse and first-degree domestic violence.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: A timeline of what we’ve learned in the search for missing Fayette Co. 1-year-old

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