Mother, grandfather of Kahleb Collins plead not guilty in death of 1-year-old boy in Fayette County

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The mother and grandfather of a 1-year-old boy who went missing for months before his remains were reportedly found on his family’s property have pleaded not guilty in his death, citing their mental health.

Earlier this month, Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey and her father, John Elton Bailey, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence, abuse of a corpse and aggravated child abuse, all citing “mental disease or defect.”

Kahleb Collins had been missing for months by the time his father, Steven Collins, and his 2-year-old sister, Ryleigh, were killed in a car accident in Fayette County on Dec. 8. Through an investigation, police determined Kahleb had not been seen since Sept. 9. John Bailey was the first charged, initially with failing to report that his grandson had gone missing.

Wendy Bailey was injured in the wreck that killed her family and was in the hospital during the investigation. By Dec. 30, she was arrested and charged in her son’s death.

On May 8, law enforcement found human remains near a burn pile on the family’s property that are believed to be that of Kahleb. A positive identification has not been announced yet.

The case is pending in court.