FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (WDNews) — A Fayette County woman has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to charges related to the abuse of her 1-year-old son.
Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, 24, of Winfield, pleaded guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court to first-degree domestic violence and aggravated child abuse involving a child younger than 6 years old. The court imposed the maximum sentence allowed by law on both convictions and ordered the life sentences to be served consecutively.
The case began in December 2024 after Bailey, her fiancé, Steven Collins, and their 2-year-old daughter were involved in a fatal single-vehicle crash in Fayette County. Collins and the couple’s daughter were killed in the crash, while Bailey survived. During the investigation, authorities discovered that the couple’s 1-year-old son, Kahleb Collins, had not been seen for several months, prompting an extensive search.
Investigators searched the family’s property multiple times and collected evidence during the investigation. In May 2025, authorities announced that human remains believed to be those of Kahleb had been recovered from a burn pile on the property. The discovery marked a significant development in the months-long investigation into the child’s disappearance.
The investigation determined that Kahleb suffered severe abuse before his death. Prosecutors said Bailey failed to protect her son from the abuse, leading to the charges of first-degree domestic violence and aggravated child abuse.
The case drew statewide attention as investigators worked for months to determine what happened to the missing toddler. Multiple local, state and federal agencies assisted with the investigation.
With Friday’s sentencing, Bailey will serve two consecutive life sentences, bringing a major chapter of the criminal case to a close.
