
A 20-year-old man from Kentucky allegedly killed an 18-month-old little girl while caring for her and a 3-year-old sibling. Terrance Corbin was reportedly alone with the children on January 7, 2025, when he called the children’s mother to report her young daughter had trouble breathing. Minutes later, he allegedly called 911 for help.
According to a news release from the Elizabethtown Police Department obtained by People, when emergency crews arrived at the residence, they reportedly found the child in critical condition. She allegedly suffered abuse so severe, it led to Corbin’s arrest and a subsequent murder charge.
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It's unclear how the children's mother and Corbin knew each other.
Police did not identify a relationship between the pair, but an obituary identified the mother as Kaiya Schmid and the deceased toddler as Malayah Banks.
Schmid apparently left her children in Corbin’s care. The abuse allegedly occurred while he was alone with the children, People reported. He called 911 after 4 p.m. January 7 and told dispatch the toddler was not breathing. When police arrived, they found a dire scene.
Malayah reportedly had very serious injuries.
Chris Denham, of the Elizabethtown Police Department, told WDRB that when police arrived, they “recognized the child to be in dire condition and in need of immediate medical treatment.”
Crews took Malayah to an area hospital and later air-lifted her to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. While there, tests determined she had “substantial swelling and bleeding in the soft tissue around her scalp and face, subdural hemorrhaging at multiple sites, and multiple skull fractures,” Denham said, per WDRB.
Doctors had allegedly never seen injuries like Malayah's.
Denham told WDRB a physician called the abuse the toddler experienced among “the worst they had encountered during their time practicing medicine.”
Denham added that he didn’t understand how anyone could hurt a child the way Corbin allegedly hurt Malayah.
“A crime like this is the most heinous, despicable, disgusting crime that law enforcement is tasked with investigating,” Denham said. “How could you do that to a baby? I’m not sure.”
Loved ones want justice for Malayah.
Amber Ditto, who identified herself online as Malayah’s godmother, thanked people for their prayers. “So many people all around the world.. words can’t describe.. something so heart warming can come from such a cruel world.. they hear you baby.. you’re claiming what’s yours… your world hears you Continue to share her story.. I will forever and always say her name.”
A’Llaylah Gordo created a GoFundMe page for the family. “Malayah was a beautiful 18 month old baby girl who was a perfect example of an angel. She had a smile and soul that lit up any room that she walked in. She was so full of life,” it reads. “A tragic event happened on January 7, that caused Malayah’s life to be taken away. We ask that every one please keep her mother Kaiya, brother Messiah, and beloved family in your prayers.”
She’s raised $330 of a $5,500 goal thus far.
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Corbin could face the death penalty.
If convicted of murder, according to Kentucky law, Corbin could be sentenced to death. He currently sits in Hardin County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. It was unclear when his next court appearance might be.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is [available 24/7](https://childhelphotline.org/).