A Kansas mother, Lia Corbin, and her boyfriend, Kyle Valle, have been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse following the death of Corbin’s 5-year-old daughter in Topeka. Court records show the pair face multiple felony charges in connection with the child’s death on Jan. 27.
According to an affidavit, Corbin called 911 that day to report that she believed her daughter was not breathing. During the call, she could allegedly be heard saying, “She’s alive. She’s alive. She’s alive.” When asked whether the child was struggling to breathe, Corbin reportedly responded that she did not know what had happened and said she had gone to check on the girl because she had gone quiet.
First responders arrived to find the child naked and wrapped in a blanket. She was transported to a hospital, where she later died. Authorities reported that the girl had severe bruising, swollen eyes, bleeding from the head, and possible burns covering a large portion of her body.
Allegations of Abuse and Apartment Conditions
Investigators stated that Valle told police the child had a history of pouring soap on herself and claimed that if it was not washed off quickly, it could resemble burn marks. He also allegedly said the girl had experienced a “mental episode” earlier in the day.
However, officers described the apartment as being in unsanitary condition. According to the affidavit, police observed a bottle of peroxide on the bathroom sink and a bathtub partially filled with room-temperature water. Cigarette butts were reportedly found on the bathtub ledge. Investigators also allegedly discovered a bucket containing what appeared to be urine in a closet, bags containing human feces, and suspected blood spatter with an upward trajectory on the closet wall and ceiling. Authorities further alleged the child appeared to have suffered cigarette burns.
Arrests and Ongoing Case
Corbin and Valle were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree murder and child abuse. It was not immediately clear whether either defendant has entered a plea. The case remains pending as it moves through the Kansas court system.
