Kabamba E. Kyalangalilwa, 35, is accused of abandoning his 1-year-old daughter with strangers for hours while he attended a party in Detroit before returning drunk and placing the toddler unsecured on a motorcycle, leading to a crash that injured the child, according to authorities.
Background
Court records show Kyalangalilwa brought his daughter to a gathering on Braile Street around 11:30 a.m. on June 28 before taking the girl to a neighboring home and asking strangers to watch her swim with their children while he returned to the party, WDIV reported. Approximately five hours later, authorities say Kyalangalilwa came back intoxicated while operating a motorcycle.
Detroit Police say Kyalangalilwa retrieved his child from the strangers and placed her on the bike without securing her before speeding away. He lost control of the motorcycle, sending both himself and the toddler sliding across the roadway, according to prosecutors.
The girl struck her head on a curb and suffered cuts to her head, face and legs before being taken to a local hospital for treatment, WWJ reported.
The Investigation
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the allegations represent conduct beyond anything she has encountered in her career.
"I do not recall in all of my years as a prosecutor and judge ever seeing a set of facts like this," Worthy said in a statement. "The alleged conduct of this defendant was way beyond atrocious and horrendous. This poor baby deserved the appropriate care, dedication, and simple human decency. It is miraculous that she is still among the living."
Rather than remain with his injured daughter, Kyalangalilwa allegedly attempted to escape in another vehicle before abandoning it and fleeing on foot, prosecutors said.
Detroit police asked the public for help locating Kyalangalilwa and urged him to surrender at a city precinct. Child Protective Services also launched an investigation into the incident.
The Charges
Kyalangalilwa is charged with two counts of child abuse as well as one count each of child abandonment, reckless driving, and operating while license suspended, revoked or denied, court records show.
He was arraigned July 15 in Detroit's 36th District Court, where a judge initially set bond at $100,000. At a July 21 bond redetermination hearing, the court lowered his release conditions to a $25,000 personal bond while requiring him to wear a GPS tether and comply with a nightly curfew.
Key Takeaways
- The incident occurred June 28 on Detroit's west side when Kyalangalilwa allegedly left his 1-year-old with strangers for approximately five hours
- Authorities say he returned intoxicated, placed the toddler unsecured on his motorcycle, and crashed at high speed
- The child suffered head, face and leg injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment
- Kyalangalilwa allegedly fled the scene after the crash rather than stay with his injured daughter
- He faces two counts of child abuse along with charges of abandonment, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license
What's Next
Kyalangalilwa is scheduled to return to court Aug. 20 for a preliminary examination in 36th District Court.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office continues to build its case while Child Protective Services conducts a separate investigation into the child's welfare.