Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Confirms Discovery of Remains Belonging to One-Year-Old Kahleb Collins

After six months of searching, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office confirmed that remains believed to be those of one-year-old Kahleb Collins were discovered Thursday, May 8.

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office said in a press release that the remains were discovered in a burn pile at the family residence. An anthropologist confirmed that a portion of the items recovered in the burn pile were human remains, and the evidence was transported to a forensics lab for further testing.

Kahleb's mother, 22-year-old Wendy Bailey, has been charged with four felonies in connection with his death: aggravated child abuse, first-degree domestic violence, and abuse of a corpse.

The Complex Collins Case

Kahleb Collins was first reported missing on Sunday, December 8, 2024, after a fatal accident that claimed the life of his father, Steven Collins, and his two-year-old sister, Ryleigh Collins.

READ MORE: Missing Infant Kahleb Collins Believed Dead, Mother Charged with Four Felonies

Authorities became concerned about Kahleb, who was not in the truck at the time of the accident. Kahleb's grandfather, 55-year-old John Elton Bailey, was arrested three days later and charged with failure to report a missing person.

The Tragic Life of Kahleb Collins

Kahleb's mother was formerly charged with the felonies related to his death on December 30, 2024. As investigators looked into his disappearance, details about the horrific abuse the infant endured came to light.

READ MORE: Police Say Mother Knew of Infant's Torturous Abuse, Death, and Disposal

Court records indicate that Bailey received a message from Kahleb's father, Steven, in which he expressed his desire to kill the infant:

He then sent a picture "of Kahleb Collins hanging aloft with a rope, with blood present on his body," and a photo of "Kahleb Collins lying supine on the floor with extreme bruising present on his body."

Steven Collins, the boy's 40-year-old father, then sent messages saying that the boy had stopped moving, that he was sorry.

 

What's Next in the Case

"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," Yerby added.

Bailey is being held without bond in the Fayette County Correctional Center.