HIGGINSVILLE, MO - In a heartbreaking case out of Missouri, a 3-year-old child was found dead in a motel room only two days before Christmas. Now, her father and his girlfriend have been charged in connection with her death, PEOPLE Magazine reports.
Kyle Galloway and Deanna Hankins have been arrested for the death of Novaleigh Galloway and are thus far charged with abuse or neglect of a child, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a controlled substance, online court records show.
Police responded to the Classic Motel in the small community of only 4,800 residents, leaving the town in shock, according to Fox 4. The town is located just under an hour east of Kansas City, Missouri. Records show that the child was deceased when police arrived at around 4 a.m., and her body showed signs of being beaten and bound with zip ties at her wrists and feet.
Responding officers said that Novaleigh had black eyes and ligature marks around her hands and feet, “indicating possibly that [the victim] was physically abused prior to her death,” a probable cause statement obtained by PEOPLE read.
Those documents said Galloway and Hankins admitted that they physically abused Novaleigh, with Hankins telling investigators that Galloway kicked the young child in the head. Court records also showed that police found methamphetamines in the suspects’ possession. Galloway said the girl was bound due to “behavioral issues.”
Meanwhile, Galloway told police he saw Hankins “physically discipline” the child, calling it “excessive due to the noise and force used.” He told police he disciplined the child by giving her swats on the body and smacking her in the mouth “to correct her behavior.”
Novaleigh’s grandmother remains in shock over the ordeal.
"It’s unreal. I just keep hoping I wake up from this nightmare, and I can’t,” the grandmother, Crystal Boyd, said last week.
Fox 4 spoke to Boyd and Novaleigh’s mother, Americus Perkins, about the ordeal last week. Perkins said that she has legal custody of the child, but Galloway had visitation rights. Her funeral was scheduled for this past Monday.
“I just want justice for my baby,” Perkins said last week. “I want everybody involved, or [who] knew and didn’t say anything, I want them to feel this. I want them to pay for this.”
“All I can do is think about what they did to my baby. I don’t understand how anyone could do this to a child, especially their own child,” Boyd added.
Both Galloway and Hankins have criminal records, with Galloway having a record including felony charges of burglary, shoplifting, and failure to appear in court.
During their arraignment, Galloway and Hankins were described as “a danger to the community.”
A GoFundMe has been started to assist the family.
“This is a very tragic time for my daughter and our family and would love to give her the service she deserves,” the crowdfunding page reads. “Nova was such a happy and wonderful little girl, and she will always be so loved and missed by so many. I love u Nova so much and will always keep you in my heart and soul babygirl.”
Novaleigh’s obituary reads, in part:
“Novaleigh brought joy and laughter to everyone around her. Even though her time with us was short, she touched countless lives with her curious nature and gentle kindness. She loved to be outside and play the harmonica. She really enjoyed sweet tea. She was just a perfect little angel.”
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