Charges have been formally filed against two people in connection with the death of a three-year-old girl in a Higginsville hotel room.

According to a probable cause statement, officers with the Higginsville Police Department detained 30-year-old Kyle Galloway and 36-year-old Deanna Hankins after they were called to a hotel the morning of December 23rd in reference to a non-responsive child. Authorities say that the three-year-old girl was deceased upon their arrival, and her death was considered suspicious in nature. According to the statement, Galloway said that he and Hankins had used zip ties to restrain the girl because of what they called behavioral issues, and that both had struck the girl on separate occasions in the head and mouth.

Higginsville Police noted in their statement that the girl had dark circles on her eyes and marks on her wrists and feet consistent with being bound. Police added that a search of the hotel room found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, which was seized for evidence.

Both Galloway and Hankins are facing charges of abuse or neglect of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a controlled substance. The two remain held without bond in the Lafayette County Jail. An initial hearing for the two has not yet been scheduled.

If you suspect a child is experiencing abuse or neglect, you’re strongly encouraged to call the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect hotline at 800-392-3738. You can also make a report through the Department of Social Services’ website.