Mother Who Knew of Infant Son's Abuse, Death & Disposal Gets Life

A Winfield woman has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty Friday to charges stemming from the abuse and death of her 1-year-old son, Kahleb Collins, capping a case that began with a deadly car crash more than a year ago.

Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, 24, pleaded guilty in Fayette County Circuit Court to first-degree domestic violence and aggravated child abuse of a child under the age of 6. Life imprisonment is the maximum sentence for each count, and the sentences will run consecutively.

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As the Thread has previously reported, the case came to light in December 2024 when Steven Collins, the father of Kahleb and Bailey's 2-year-old daughter Ryleigh, drove his truck into a tree at high speed in Fayette County. Collins and Ryleigh were killed in the crash. Bailey survived.

In the aftermath, investigators discovered that Kahleb had been missing and unaccounted for for several months. Collins, who died in the crash, is believed to have abused and killed him, then disposed of his remains. Authorities determined that Bailey knew of the abuse and did not report it or intervene. Investigators believe Kahleb died sometime between September and December 2024.

“This was a deeply upsetting case for our community. People were horrified by what happened to Kahleb, and many have followed this case closely from the beginning,” Twenty-Fourth Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin said Friday. “Based on the evidence and the timeline that was established, Steven Collins carried out unthinkable acts against this child that we believe ultimately led to his death. Wendy Bailey was aware of the abuse and did nothing to stop it or report it.”

The investigation involved the examination of electronic devices, multiple searches of the family property, and forensic analysis of debris from burn piles, with assistance from digital forensic investigators, federal forensic specialists, and forensic anthropologists from Troy University and UAB.

Hamlin said Friday no sentence could undo what was done to Kahleb, but that the court had imposed the maximum punishment the law allowed.

Hamlin credited investigators and specialists from multiple agencies, including the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Digital Forensics Lab, the FBI, the Berry Fire Department, the Berry Police Department, and the DA's own Criminal Investigation Division.

“The evidence in this case was difficult, both in its nature and in the amount of work required to uncover and examine it,” Hamlin said. “I am grateful to every investigator and specialist who stayed with this case and made sure Kahleb was not forgotten," Hamlin said. "These men and women are heroes. Without their hard work and diligence, this case may never have been solved."

Fayette County is approximately one hour north of Tuscaloosa.

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