A Missouri couple battered and belittled a terrified three-year-old girl before she died inside a shady motel room, according to police.
Kyle Galloway, 30, and Deanne Kay Hankins, 36, have been accused of fatally neglecting and abusing Novaleigh Galloway inside the Classic Motel in Higginsville.
Police found the three-year-old victim, who was Galloway’s biological daughter and not related to Hankins, dead on December 23 after rushing to the scene following reports of a child not breathing.
Court records reviewed by Fox 4 alleged that Novaleigh had marks around her wrists and feet – indicating that she had been restrained.
The toddler also had black eyes, investigators said, suggesting that she had endured severe abuse leading up to her death.
Drug paraphernalia and meth were found inside the room, according to court records.
Galloway and Hankins were immediately arrested and questioned about Novaleigh’s suspicious death.
The suspects were each charged with three felony charges – child neglect, endangering the welfare of a child, and drug possession. They remain in Lafayette County Jail without bond.
Novaleigh Galloway died in the care of her father and his girlfriend on December 23
Kyle Galloway is Novaleigh’s biological father. He allegedly kicked her in the back of her head before she died
Galloway allegedly admitted to investigators that his daughter had been zip-tied and restricted because of her ‘behavioral issues,’ per court records.
He also claimed that earlier in the day, before Novaleigh died, Hankins had hit her in the head and mouth.
Hankins allegedly denied the involvement of zip ties, but did say that Novaleigh was tied down and had cuts on her feet and wrists.
She also admitted to bashing Novaleigh on the back of her head after she did not do what she was told, according to police.
While Galloway allegedly told authorities that he found the brutal punishment ‘excessive,’ he never tried to stop it.
In fact, he confessed to contributing to the harm inflicted on the girl, police said. Galloway reportedly told police that he physically disciplined Novaleigh throughout the day and night leading up to her death.
The alleged abuse was not only physical, but verbal.
On top of being accused of relentlessly beating the little girl, the coldhearted couple allegedly called her vile names as they hit her.
Kyle Galloway, 30, and Deanne Kay Hankins, 36, have been accused of fatally neglecting and abusing Novaleigh Galloway inside the Classic Motel in Higginsville
Deanne Kay Hankins is not related to the young victim and allegedly physically and verbally abused her
After a day allegedly filled with horrendous attacks on the child, Galloway and Hankins had tried to put her to bed.
But when Novaleigh did not want to go to sleep, her father – allegedly frustrated with her fussiness – kicked her in the back of the head, Hankins reportedly told police.
‘Oh, that might have been a little hard,’ Galloway allegedly told Hankins after the vicious blow.
Both apparently careless adults then placed Novaleigh in her cot to sleep without checking whether she was all right, according to court records.
A bit later, Hankins allegedly heard her breathing heavily. When she approached the child’s bed, she was unresponsive, prompting her and Galloway to call 911.
Novaleigh’s mother, Americus Perkins, told Fox 4 that Galloway had visitation rights. But despite her best efforts, she had not seen her child in months.
Her maternal grandmother, Crystal Boyd, alleged on Facebook that they had been looking for the little girl for six to eight months.
Boyd claimed that Galloway was ‘trying to keep her from us’ and the couple had been ‘hiding out’ while abusing her.
Novaleigh loved the outdoors and to play the harmonica, according to her obituary
Novaleigh’s mother, Americus Perkins, said she had not seen her daughter in months
‘My grandbaby’s dad and his girlfriend did something to my grandbaby and now she is gone that’s what happened there this morning Kyle Galloway and his girlfriend killed my grandbaby,’ Boyd claimed.
Boyd also created a GoFundMe for Novaleigh’s funeral arrangements. It has raised about $4,600 so far.
‘Nova was such a happy and wonderful little girl and she will always be so loved and missed by so many. I love you, Nova, so much and will always keep you in my heart and soul, babygirl,’ Boyd wrote.
Novaleigh was described as a joyful girl who loved the outdoors and playing the harmonica.
The situation remains under investigation and Novaleigh’s official cause of death has not been released.
Meanwhile, a petition has been circulating to have the Classic Motel shuttered.
The petition states that the motel has become ‘a focal point for concerning activities that put the members of our community at risk.’
It also cites data from the Urban Institute, suggesting that areas around motels experience a 35 percent spike in crime.
A GoFundMe for Novaleigh’s funeral arrangements raised about $4,600
A petition has been created to get the Classic Motel shut down
Another petition titled Pass Novaleigh’s Law: Protect Missouri Children Curing Unsafe Visitation, has also been created.
‘Missouri’s current laws often require children to be visibly injured or in immediate, undeniable danger before intervention is allowed,’ the petition reads.
‘By the time that threshold is met, the damage is already done. Too often, warning signs are seen but not acted on.
‘Too often, concerns are documented but dismissed. Too often, children are sent back into unsafe situations because the law leaves no room to pause, assess, or protect.’
According to public records, Galloway has a lengthy criminal record, with charges including child welfare endangerment, domestic assault, burglary and possession of a controlled substance.
Hankins has also been previously arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Perkins and Boyd for comment.
Lafayette County Clerks Jessica White and Jennifer Middleton, the ‘decision makers’ on the petition to close down the motel, and Governor Mike Kehoe, one of the ‘decision makers’ for the second petition, have also been contacted for comment.
