Left: Vangie Averhart (Wayne County Jail via WDIV). Right: Kylee Clark (Edward Swanson and Son Funeral Home).
A Michigan woman has been incarcerated following allegations that she assaulted her 14-year-old daughter, who had autism, because she reportedly “no longer wanted this child.”
Vangie Renee Averhart, aged 37, faces murder charges related to the death of her daughter, Kylee Clark, who succumbed to her injuries at a hospital near Detroit in July, as indicated by court documents.
Kylee’s cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the back of her head, an injury prosecutors likened to the impact experienced in a high-speed vehicular collision, according to a report by Metro Detroit News. Averhart allegedly offered several inconsistent explanations regarding her daughter’s injuries, none of which held credibility.
Initially, she suggested that Kylee had choked on a sandwich, followed by a claim involving a banana. She also implicated her boyfriend, though he successfully cleared a lie detector test and was confirmed absent at the time of the incident, as reported by Metro Detroit News.
Prosecutors revealed that Kylee, who was unable to speak, lived in confinement. Allegedly, her mother expressed to others her unwillingness to care for her. Child Protective Services had previously conducted multiple investigations into Averhart, driven by concerns for Kylee’s welfare, according to MDN.
Family members disclosed to local NBC affiliate WDIV that the injuries were inflicted at Kylee’s home on July 7, leading to her death five days later while receiving medical care at a hospital.
“Kylee’s mother lied right from the get-go about pretty much everything. She’s just rotten,” her paternal great-uncle Jeffrey Clark told the outlet. “I mean, it’s her own flesh and blood.”
Clark said Kylee’s father had been trying to obtain custody of the girl in the months leading up to the alleged murder.
“And supposedly she said ‘you can have her, I don’t want her,’” Clark recalled. “[It’s] hard to fathom. I don’t know if it’s some vindictive thing on her part or if she’s just pure evil.”
Averhart remains in the Wayne County Jail without bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Nov. 26.
Kylee’s obituary said she “left an everlasting mark on the hearts of those who knew her.”
“Kylee had a vibrant soul and a beautiful way of experiencing the world. She loved music — it filled her days with joy and comfort — and she was always happiest when she had her favorite snacks nearby,” the obituary said. “She saw beauty in every color and brought brightness into every room with her spirit. With a love for textures, sensations, and using her hands, Kylee found joy in the little things many might overlook. Whether it was a soft blanket, a crunchy snack, or a rhythmic song, she embraced the world in her own unique way.”
