HIGGINSVILLE, MO – In the few days before Christmas, 3-year-old Novaleigh Galloway endured relentless abuse inside a motel room that ultimately claimed her life, according to law enforcement officials.
Novaleigh, described by neighbors as a bright and energetic child, was found dead in a motel room at the Classic Motel on December 23. Police say her own father, Kyle Galloway, and Deanne Kay Hankins, a woman linked to her family, are responsible for a series of violent acts that led to her death.
According to investigators, Novaleigh suffered both physical and verbal assaults, allegedly at the hands of those entrusted with her care. Authorities say she was repeatedly struck on the head and mouth as punishment for what her guardians considered bad behavior. Their actions, police contend, went far beyond discipline – including restraining the child with zip ties that left visible ligature marks on her wrists and ankles.
Emergency responders were called to the motel after Novaleigh reportedly stopped breathing while trying to fall asleep. Officers who arrived at the scene discovered the young girl lifeless, her body marked by bruises, blackened eyes, and impressions suggesting prolonged restraint.
The investigation revealed a troubling pattern of discipline in the hours before her death. Police say both Galloway and Hankins admitted to loudly berating Novaleigh and physically harming her, with Galloway allegedly acknowledging that part of the so-called discipline involved “smacking” the child and even kicking her in the head. The pair allegedly told authorities they heard unusual breathing sounds as Novaleigh lay on her cot, but dismissed their concerns and failed to check on her condition.
Further examination by authorities uncovered evidence of drug use in the motel room, including methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia. While Hankins admitted to possessing the substances, Galloway reportedly denied using drugs but acknowledged their presence in the room.
As the investigation developed, disturbing details continued to emerge. Authorities say Novaleigh was subjected to increasing levels of restraint and physical harm as she became more unresponsive, with neither adult seeking aid or performing any form of life-saving measures after her injuries.
Galloway and Hankins now face charges of child abuse resulting in serious injury or death, as well as first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, among other offenses. Both are currently held without bond in the Lafayette County jail.
The tragedy has reverberated through the Higginsville community, prompting calls for action against the Classic Motel. Residents have launched a petition demanding its closure, citing frequent crime and disturbances tied to the establishment in recent years.
The neighborhood surrounding the motel, once considered peaceful, is now described as marred by a rise in criminal activity. Parents in the area have voiced concerns for their children’s safety, expressing anxiety about the incidents connected to the site.
As Novaleigh Galloway’s death remains under investigation, her loss is mourned by those who remember her as a bright spirit extinguished far too soon, leaving a community grappling with grief and searching for answers.