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FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (BFMG) — A deadly crash in Fayette County has uncovered a harrowing sequence of events involving a missing child and allegations of neglect. Authorities say Steven Collins, 40, was driving at 92 miles per hour on a rain-slicked CR-73 — more than twice the posted speed limit — when his vehicle lost control and struck a tree, killing him and his 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh Collins. The crash also critically injured Ryleigh’s mother, Wendy Bailey, who remains hospitalized.
The family lived less than a mile from the crash site.
Details of the Crash
The Alabama Uniform Traffic Crash Report released by state troopers revealed Collins was driving aggressively on the wet roadway while navigating a curve. The Toyota Tacoma rotated clockwise before striking a tree with the rear door area. Collins was ejected from the vehicle, and Bailey was partially ejected through the driver’s door. Ryleigh, who was unrestrained in the back seat, sustained fatal injuries at the scene.
State troopers also reported that none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts, and a crash data recorder confirmed the vehicle was being operated aggressively at the time of the incident.
Unfolding the Mystery of a Missing Child
As authorities investigated the crash, troubling questions emerged about the whereabouts of the couple’s 1-year-old son, Kahleb Collins. Family members disclosed that Kahleb may have been missing for months, but no report had been filed with law enforcement. This revelation led to the arrest of John Bailey, the child’s grandfather, who is charged with failing to report a missing child. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Court records allege that Bailey, as a custodian of Kahleb, failed to report the child’s disappearance, which resulted in “serious bodily harm or death.” The complaint also states that the child was “removed from the home and taken to an unknown location.” Authorities have not confirmed Kahleb’s current status, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has declined to provide further information.
Search Efforts Intensify
On Wednesday evening, multiple Fayette County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were seen at the family’s home on Highway 129, just outside of Winfield. Deputies stretched scene tape around the property as people with shovels searched the area. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) issued a missing child alert for Kahleb on Tuesday, and a short news release followed repeated inquiries by local media. No photos of Kahleb were released until Tuesday afternoon.
Community Pleads for Answers
Family members are now pleading for the public’s help in finding Kahleb. “We just want answers,” one relative said in a statement to ABC 33/40 News.
Court filings indicate that Bailey’s failure to report Kahleb missing was “willful and reckless” and suggest the child may have suffered injuries before being removed from the home. Despite this, the complaint stops short of confirming Kahleb as the child referenced in the charges.
Past Violations at the Scene of Tragedy
The Fayette County home where the family resided has been the subject of previous scrutiny. In July, an unrelated investigation by the Alabama Department of Human Resources found the residence in violation of federal safety regulations.
Seeking Justice and Closure
The tragic crash and subsequent investigation into Kahleb’s disappearance have shaken the Fayette County community. Residents and authorities alike are urging anyone with information about Kahleb to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Meanwhile, Wendy Bailey’s condition remains critical as she fights for her life at UAB Hospital.
The investigation into both the crash and Kahleb’s disappearance is ongoing. As of now, authorities have not ruled out additional charges against individuals connected to the case.
For now, a grieving family and community wait for clarity amid the heartbreak and unanswered questions.
