Authorities in Missouri have charged a man and woman with crimes after the man’s young daughter was reportedly discovered dead, bearing signs of abuse.

As reported by WDAF, the tragic discovery of Novaleigh Galloway’s lifeless body occurred on December 23 at the Classic Motel in Higginsville. Present in the room with the deceased toddler were her father, Kyle Galloway, and Deanna Kay Hankins. The child was found with blackened eyes and marks on her wrists and feet that suggested she had been tied up.

Relatives informed WDAF that Hankins had no familial connection to the victim. The child’s mother revealed to the media that despite having visitation rights, she had not seen her daughter for several months.

Kyle Galloway reportedly confessed that his daughter was restrained with zip ties due to her behavior, possibly explaining the binding marks on her body. Although Hankins claimed she didn’t see the child being zip-tied, she acknowledged that the girl had been restrained at one point, according to KMBC.

Legal documents reveal that on the evening of Novaleigh Galloway’s death, her father and Hankins attempted to sleep while the toddler continued to act out. This reportedly led to the father kicking her in the head.

In a chilling moment, Kyle Galloway allegedly remarked, “Oh, that might have been a little hard,” before he and Hankins instructed her to return 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]