Dad Posted Facebook Status About Son's Illness Before Dying in Car Crash. Now Police Say Son Has Been Missing for Months

Mar. 15, 2025

Steven Bradly Collins with son Kahleb Rowan Collins (left); and RyLeigh Denise Collins.Photo:Facebook; Riser Funeral Homes

Facebook; Riser Funeral Homes

Alabama authorities are searching for a 1-year-old boy whose months-long disappearance only came to light after members of his family were killed in a car crash.

Kahleb Rowan Collins, 1, was last seen on Sept. 4 in Winfield, Ala., according to an alert from theAlabama Law Enforcement Agency(ALEA).

Law enforcement had been unaware that he was missing until his parents and 2-year-old sister were involved in a fatal crash on Dec. 8 near Glen Allen, about 70 miles northwest of Birmingham, theFayette County Sheriff’s officesaid in a press release.

The child’s father Steven Bradley Collins, 40, and 2-year-old sister RyLeigh Collins were killed in the crash, per the sheriff’s office. Wendy Jean Bailey, identified as the children’s mother, was hospitalized and remains in critical condition.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the children’s grandfather John Elton Bailey was arrested and charged with failing to report Kahleb missing, the sheriff’s office confirms to PEOPLE.

Kahleb Rowan Collins.Alabama Law Enforcement

Alabama Law Enforcement

The child’s father was allegedly driving in the rain at twice the speed limit when the crash occurred, WBMA, AL.com andWBRCreported, citing an Alabama Uniform Traffic Crash Report.

Reportedly, none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts.  One passenger was ejected from the car, per the report.

Police soon realized the family’s 1-year-old had not been present in the car at all, prompting a search. On Monday, Dec. 18, ALEA confirmed the child has not been seen for more than three months and asked for the public’s help in locating him.

A neighbor of the family told WWMT that they were aware the couple had a son, but never saw him. A few months ago, the parents reportedly told the neighbor the child was sick and had been sent to a relative’s house.

In aFacebook poston Nov. 6, Steven said his son was unwell, with a “long tough road ahead” for recovery.

“He is not growing and has major back issues. His organs are growing but not his body. He has to have surgery at some point,” Steven wrote.

RyLeigh Denise Collins.Riser Funeral Homes

Riser Funeral Homes

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

“RyLeigh brought so much joy to her family. She will be remembered always and her memory cherished,” the obituary read.

It wasn’t immediately clear if John, the children’s grandfather, has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

source: people.com