A young girl's life was tragically cut short in a Missouri motel room, with police alleging she suffered brutal abuse and neglect at the hands of her own father and his girlfriend in the days leading to her death.
Horrific Details Emerge from Motel Room
Police were called to the Classic Motel in Higginsville on December 23 following reports of a child not breathing. They discovered three-year-old Novaleigh Galloway dead inside the room. Her father, 30-year-old Kyle Galloway, and his girlfriend, 36-year-old Deanne Kay Hankins, were immediately arrested.
Court records allege the toddler had marks around her wrists and feet, indicating she had been restrained. She also had black eyes, pointing to severe physical abuse. Investigators found drug paraphernalia and meth in the room.
A Day of Alleged Torture and Indifference
According to police statements and court documents, the couple's alleged actions in the final hours of Novaleigh's life were harrowing. Galloway reportedly admitted to investigators that his daughter had been zip-tied and restricted, blaming her 'behavioural issues'. He claimed Hankins had hit the child in the head and mouth earlier that day.
Hankins allegedly denied using zip ties but admitted Novaleigh was tied down and had cuts. She confessed to bashing the girl on the back of her head for not obeying commands. While Galloway allegedly found the punishment 'excessive', he never intervened and admitted to physically disciplining her himself throughout the day and night.
The abuse was reportedly both physical and verbal, with the couple calling the terrified child vile names as they beat her.
The Final Blow and Failed Response
After a day of alleged attacks, the couple tried to put Novaleigh to bed. When she resisted, Galloway – allegedly frustrated – kicked her in the back of the head. Hankins later told police Galloway remarked, 'Oh, that might have been a little hard,' after the blow.
The pair then placed the unresponsive child in her cot without checking on her. Later, hearing heavy breathing, Hankins found Novaleigh unresponsive, prompting a 911 call. It was too late.
Family's Anguish and Calls for Justice
Novaleigh's mother, Americus Perkins, said Galloway had visitation rights and she had not seen her daughter for months. The child's maternal grandmother, Crystal Boyd, claimed on Facebook the family had been searching for Novaleigh for six to eight months, alleging Galloway was 'trying to keep her from us' and the couple had been 'hiding out'.
'My grandbaby's dad and his girlfriend did something to my grandbaby and now she is gone,' Boyd wrote. She described Novaleigh as a joyful girl who loved the outdoors and playing the harmonica.
Boyd created a GoFundMe for funeral costs, which has raised about $4,600. The official cause of death remains pending as the investigation continues.
Legal Repercussions and Petitions for Change
Galloway and Hankins each face three felony charges: child neglect, endangering the welfare of a child, and drug possession. They are held in Lafayette County Jail without bond. Public records show Galloway has a lengthy criminal history, including prior child welfare endangerment charges.
The case has sparked public outcry and action. One petition seeks to shut down the Classic Motel, calling it a focal point for risky activities. Another, titled 'Pass Novaleigh's Law: Protect Missouri Children During Unsafe Visitation', argues state laws require a child to be visibly injured before intervention, which is often too late.
'Too often, children are sent back into unsafe situations because the law leaves no room to pause, assess, or protect,' the petition states, calling for systemic reform to prevent future tragedies.
