FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (WDNews) – A 1-year-old Alabama boy, missing since a fatal crash earlier this month, may have been unaccounted for months, according to authorities.
Kahleb Rowan Collins was reported missing after a December 8 crash in Fayette County that killed his father, Steven Bradley “Brad” Collins, 40, and his 2-year-old sister, Ryleigh Collins. His mother, Wendy “Pam” Bailey, 22, remains in critical condition at UAB Hospital.
The wreck occurred around 10:24 a.m. on Fayette County 73 near Morris Cemetery Road, about two miles south of Glen Allen. Officials say the family’s Toyota Tacoma left the road and struck a tree. Brad Collins and Wendy Bailey were not wearing seatbelts, and Ryleigh, who was unrestrained, was pronounced dead at the scene. Brad Collins died the following day.
Authorities now say Kahleb was missing before the wreck. On December 11, Kahleb’s grandfather, John Elton Bailey, 55, was arrested and charged with failure to report a missing child. Court records allege Bailey failed to report the child missing on September 10, with “reckless disregard” for the child’s safety.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued a missing child alert for Kahleb on Tuesday. Investigators say Kahleb may have been removed from his home under unknown circumstances, leading to ongoing questions about his disappearance.
Bailey remains in the Fayette County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
Anyone with information about Kahleb’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at 205-932-3205 and ask for Investigator Brandon Collins.
The investigation is ongoing.
