In a heartbreaking and disturbing case from Missouri, a man and woman are now facing serious criminal charges following the tragic death of a 3-year-old girl, allegedly due to severe abuse.

Authorities reported that young Novaleigh Galloway was discovered lifeless at the Classic Motel in Higginsville on December 23. At the scene, her father, Kyle Galloway, and Deanna Kay Hankins were present with the toddler’s body, which bore alarming signs of physical abuse, including blackened eyes and ligature marks around her small wrists and feet.

WDAF news revealed through family statements that Hankins had no familial ties to Novaleigh. In a sorrowful note, the girl’s mother, who had legal visitation rights, disclosed that she had not seen her daughter for several months leading up to this tragic event.

In a shocking confession reported by KMBC, Kyle Galloway allegedly acknowledged that he had resorted to using zip ties on his daughter as a means of controlling her behavior, which presumably accounted for the marks found on her limbs. Although Hankins claimed she never directly witnessed the child being restrained, she admitted to seeing her bound at some point.

Further details from court documents paint a grim picture of the events on the night of Novaleigh’s death. It is alleged that as the toddler struggled with behavioral issues, her father, in a moment of grave violence, kicked her in the head while attempting to make her settle down so he and Hankins could sleep.

“Oh, that might have been a little hard,” Kyle Galloway reportedly said to his daughter before he and Hankins told her to go back to sleep.

Authorities said the father and Hankins did not check on Novaleigh Galloway, who was loudly breathing. The pair said they believed she was playing or still misbehaving, according to KMBC.

Eventually, either Kyle Galloway or Hankins checked on the toddler, discovered she was unresponsive, and called for help.

Hankins and Kyle Galloway are both charged with abuse or neglect of a child, serious emotional or physical injury, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, creating substantial risk, and possession of a controlled substance. Authorities said methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found in the room with the deceased toddler.

Hankins and Kyle Galloway remain jailed without bond.

[Feature Photo: WDAF]