crime

A Fayette County man will serve the rest of his life in prison for the murder of Laci Cheyenne Whitson in 2024, 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin announced Friday.

Michael Wade Tucker, 37, pled guilty to murder at a hearing in Fayette County Circuit Court Friday morning. Following the plea, Judge Sam Junkin ordered him to serve life in prison, the maximum possible sentence for murder.

The State of Alabama has submitted a motion to the Circuit Court of Fayette County seeking a genetic sample from Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, the defendant in a high-profile child abuse case.

A Fayette man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child pornography following a four-month investigation.

According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Branndon Collins, the investigation began after they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was being downloaded at a residence in Fayette County.

Investigators sifted through 14 barrels of debris from burn piles collected at the family’s residence at 13635 Hwy. 129 in Glen Allen. | Photo courtesy of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office

In an exclusive interview, Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby shared details about the investigation that led to the discovery of remains believed to be those of missing toddler, Kahleb Rowan Collins. The sheriff’s office, along with the assistance of multiple agencies, launched an intensive search immediately after Kahleb’s disappearance that was reported on Dec. 9, 2024.

The following statement was released by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, May 8:

New charges have recently been filed in the case of the missing toddler. A preliminary hearing for John and Wendy Bailey was held Wednesday, April 9, at the Fayette County Courthouse. According to court documents, a grand jury indicted Wendy Bailey and her father in connection with the case of her missing son, Kahleb Rowan Collins.

A Fayette County man has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the death of 21-year-old Laci Cheyenne Whitson. According to a grand jury indictment dated March 19, Michael Wade Tucker, 38, was indicted on charges of murder, abuse of a corpse and certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. 

A preliminary hearing for John and Wendy Bailey was scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 at the Fayette County Courthouse. Reports indicate that John and Wendy Bailey were indicted by a grand jury. Charges are unknown at this time and a court date will be set at a later time.

Follow the The Times-Record news as more information becomes available.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, around 9 a.m., Fayette Police received reports of a possible break-in at Caines Ridge Church on Hwy 159. According to Police Chief Danny Jenkins, no items were taken, but a pallet was found inside, which was believed to have been used for someone to sleep and escape the cold. 

Authorities searching the property surrounding the home of Steven Collins and Wendy Bailey on Thursday, Jan. 2. | Photo courtesy of Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby