Fayette County, Ala. — The mother of a 1-year-old child believed to be deceased, who went missing seven months ago, will make her first court appearance this week. Wendy Pamela Bailey, 23, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday morning at the Fayette County Courthouse. The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to be presented to a grand jury. Bailey faces multiple charges, including aggravated child abuse, first-degree domestic violence, abuse of a corpse, and criminally negligent homicide.
Bailey’s son, Kahleb Collins, was last seen on September 9, 2024. However, his disappearance did not become public knowledge until much later. In December, after the tragic deaths of Kahleb’s father, Steven Bailey, and his 2-year-old sister, Ryleigh, in a car accident in Fayette County, authorities began piecing together the circumstances surrounding the child’s vanishing.
Wendy Bailey was also in the vehicle during the crash and was subsequently taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. Following a lengthy investigation into the case, she was arrested on December 30 and charged in connection with her son’s death. Authorities claim that Kahleb, allegedly abused by his father, was disposed of by his mother in a plastic bag, though the child’s body has yet to be located.
In addition to the charges related to her son, Bailey is accused of criminally negligent homicide in relation to her daughter’s death. Prosecutors argue that Bailey failed to secure Ryleigh properly in her car seat before the fatal crash, contributing to the toddler’s death.
The preliminary hearing, set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, will be an important step in determining the future of the case. If sufficient evidence is presented, the charges against Bailey could be escalated to a grand jury, potentially leading to further legal proceedings.
As the investigation continues, the case has garnered significant attention, leaving the community of Fayette County searching for answers and justice for the victims involved.
