Kyle Galloway and Deanna Hankins Arrested After 3-Year-Old Novaleigh Galloway Found Dead in Missouri Motel

Missouri authorities have arrested Kyle Galloway and Deanna Hankins following the death of a 3-year-old girl who was found unresponsive in a motel room just days before Christmas.

The child, Novaleigh Galloway, was discovered early on the morning of December 23 inside a room at the Classic Motel in Higginsville. Officers responded to a report of a child not breathing and arrived to find the girl deceased, according to court documents.

Galloway, Novaleigh’s father, and Hankins, his girlfriend, were both charged with multiple felonies, including abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, abuse or neglect resulting in serious physical injury, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a controlled substance, online court records show.

According to a probable cause statement, Novaleigh was in the care of Galloway and Hankins at the time of her death. The child’s grandmother confirmed this information in a GoFundMe fundraiser created to help the family with funeral expenses.

Court records state that investigators observed signs indicating the child may have been abused prior to her death. Galloway reportedly told authorities that restraints were used due to what he described as behavioral issues. He also told investigators that Hankins physically disciplined the child and admitted to using physical punishment himself.

Investigators say the couple claimed they believed Novaleigh was misbehaving when she later showed signs of distress. She was later found unresponsive.

A fundraiser organized by family members described Novaleigh as a happy and loving child and asked for community support to provide her with a proper service.

Court documents also state that Galloway has an extensive criminal history, including prior convictions involving child endangerment, domestic violence, and drug-related offenses. He was previously on probation in Missouri at the time of the incident.

Authorities described Galloway as a danger to the community based on his past offenses.

As of the latest update, no court hearing dates were listed for either Galloway or Hankins. The case remains under investigation.