Couple called girl, 3, vile names as they tortured her to death inside motel room, police say
Kyle Galloway, 30, and Deanne Kay Hankins, 36, have been accused of fatally neglecting and abusing Novaleigh Galloway inside the Classic Motel in Higginsville.
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.