Kyle Galloway and Deanna Hankins charged in connection to child abuse death of 3 year old girl, Novaleigh Galloway, found dead at Higginsville, Mississippi motel, two days before Christmas.
The father of a 3-year-old girl found dead in a motel room last week along with his girlfriend have been charged in connection to the toddler’s death, Mississippi authorities announced.
Kyle Galloway and Deanna Hankins were charged with abuse or neglect of a child, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a controlled substance, according to online court records.
Toddler girl was bound by ankles and wrists over ‘behavioral issues,’
The child’s father and his girlfriend were arrested after calling 911 to report finding the 3-year-old girl, Novaleigh Galloway, dead in the Classic Motel in Higginsville on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
The girl had black eyes and ligature marks around her wrists and feet ‘indicating possibly that [the victim] was physically abused prior to her death,’ according to a probable cause statement cited by KMBC.
Galloway allegedly told police that his daughter had been bound with zip-ties and partially restrained due to her ‘behavioral issues,’ according to the statement.
Galloway claimed seeing Hankins ‘physically discipline’ the girl and described the ‘discipline as excessive due to the noise and force used,’ according to the statement.
Toddler ‘behavioral issues’ led to dad and girlfriend ‘becoming upset’
The father admitted to also physically disciplining the child, including giving her swats on the body and smacking her on the mouth to ‘correct her behavior’.
On the evening of the girl’s death, the father claimed Galloway getting upset and kicking his daughter in the head.
‘During the night, as they were attempting to go to sleep, [Hankins] stated she attempted several times to get [Novaleigh] to go to sleep but [Novaleigh] failed to do so as she continued her ‘bad behavior,’ the statement alleges. ‘[Hankins] stated [Galloway] got upset and ultimately kicked Novaleigh in the head with his foot.’
Officers alleged in the statement that Hankins said Galloway commented, ‘Oh, that might have been a little hard,’ after the kick.
Both suspects told authorities they heard the child making ‘loud breathing noises’ but thought she was ‘playing or misbehaving.’
Hankins allegedly said she later went to check on the girl and found the 3-year-old responsive and called 911.
Toddler’s father had prior domestic assault and drug charges
Court records show that Galloway has a criminal history, including domestic assault and drug charges.
‘This is a very tragic time for my daughter and our family and would love to give her the service she deserves,’ a GoFundMe 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.’
According to an online obituary, Novaleigh was ‘born with a bright spirit and a loving smile.’
During a search of the motel room, meth and drug paraphernalia was discovered according to the probable cause statement.
