Police have accused a Missouri father of abusing his 3-year-old daughter and causing her death in a hotel room two days before Christmas, Luxury Handbag Shopping has learned.
A Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said that little Novaleigh Galloway stopped breathing on Tuesday, December 23, leading her father, Kyle Galloway, to call 911 for help.
But there was no helping Novaleigh, the spokesman explained. Cops said she was dead before they arrived at the Classic Motel in Higginsville.
Galloway, 30, as well as his girlfriend, 36-year-old Deanna Kay Hankins, were taken into custody and charged with abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, abuse or neglect of a child resulting in serious emotional or physical injury, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a controlled substance, online court records confirmed.
According to the spokesman, Novaleigh had black eyes and there were ligature marks around her wrists and ankles — a clear indication she was zip-tied. Galloway allegedly told authorities that Novaleigh had to be restrained because of her supposed “behavioral issues.” He also pointed the blame at Hankins, saying she was the one who “physically discipline[d]” the child by striking her in the head and mouth.
He also allegedly admitted to striking the girl’s body and smacking her in the mouth.
“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,'” according to court documents filed in the case. “[Hankins] stated [Galloway] got upset and ultimately kicked Novaleigh in the head.”
They allegedly told police they told Novaleigh to go to sleep, and that they watched her lay down on her cot. As the hours passed, they said she began to make loud breathing sounds. However, they thought she was messing around. Hankins eventually checked on Novaleigh and discovered she was unresponsive.
Novaleigh’s maternal grandmother said the little girl’s mother is devastated in the text of a GoFundMe campaign raising funds to cover the toddler’s funeral costs.
“This is a very tragic time for my daughter and our family and would love to give her the service she deserves,” reads the fundraiser page. “Nova was such a happy and wonderful little girl and she will always be so loved and missed by so many.”
Galloway, police said, has a criminal history including offenses for endangering the welfare of a child, drug crimes, domestic assault, burglary, robbery, assault, shoplifting and tampering with motor vehicles. He was previously on probation in Missouri for endangering the welfare of a child and drug possession.
“[Galloway] is a threat and danger to the community as he has a history of physical violence, endangering the welfare of a child and causing substantial injury/death,” officials wrote in the court documents.
It was unclear Tuesday, December 30, if Galloway or Hankins had entered pleas to the charges against them. Both remain in custody without bond.
Meanwhile, there’s an online petition seeking to shut down the Classic Motel. The petition claims that the motel has become “a focal point for concerning activities that put the members of our community at risk,” and notes increased incidents of crime, illicit activities and multiple disturbances as reasons for why it needs to be closed.
