Vangie Renee Averhart, a 37-year-old Michigan mother, pleaded no contest Monday to child abuse charges in connection with the death of her 14-year-old daughter Kylee Clark, avoiding a murder charge as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Background
Kylee Clark, who was nonverbal and diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as well as Cornelia de Lange syndrome—a rare genetic disorder that impedes development—died at a hospital on July 12, 2025, five days after she sustained catastrophic injuries at her Detroit home. According to court testimony, the girl suffered from blunt force trauma to the head that caused a massive brain bleed.
Prosecutors laid out the horrifying allegations against Averhart during a December hearing before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Hatjeski. The case revealed disturbing details about Kylee's living conditions and her mother's alleged desire to abandon her.
"Ms. Averhart is only trying to protect herself. She wasn't interested in protecting Kylee," Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Tina Ripley said, according to The Detroit News. "She didn't even want to be with Kylee anymore. She wanted to be with [her boyfriend]. She made that very clear."
Court testimony detailed how Averhart's boyfriend discovered the girl in distress on July 7, 2025, after leaving her alone with her mother for approximately 10 minutes at their Detroit residence. He testified he found Kylee "making a noise" and in respiratory distress. He reportedly removed a piece of food from her mouth before performing CPR as paramedics were summoned.
The Charges
Averhart was initially charged with open murder in connection with Kylee's death. However, under the plea agreement accepted by the court, prosecutors dismissed the murder charge and allowed Averhart to plead no contest to a single count of child abuse—second degree. Dr. Marcus DeGraw, a child abuse pediatrician who examined Kylee, testified that she sustained "significant, direct blunt force trauma to the head … probably from multiple, direct blunt force blows."
"She suffered a massive, significant intracranial injury that ultimately led to her death," DeGraw reportedly told the court. "It would take a significant amount of force to cause these types of injuries."
The defense attempted to shift blame to Averhart's boyfriend, with attorney Dennis Whittie suggesting during proceedings: "I think we have the wrong person sitting in the chair next to me." The defense claimed the boyfriend had slapped Kylee with an open hand after she spilled milk. However, prosecutors noted the boyfriend consistently denied striking the girl and passed a lie detector test.
Averhart gave multiple inconsistent accounts of how her daughter sustained her injuries—first claiming the girl choked on a sandwich, then on a banana, before ultimately pointing fingers at her boyfriend, according to Metro Detroit News reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Averhart pleaded no contest to child abuse-second degree; murder charge dismissed as part of plea deal
- Kylee Clark, 14, died July 12, 2025, five days after suffering blunt force trauma at her Detroit home
- Prosecutors alleged Averhart wanted to abandon Kylee so she could be with her boyfriend
- Child Protective Services had previously investigated Averhart on multiple occasions regarding Kylee's welfare
- Averhart reportedly told family members she "didn't want this child anymore"
- Sentencing scheduled for August 7, 2026 in Wayne County Circuit Court
What's Next
Averhart is slated to be sentenced on Aug. 7 before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Hatjeski. The child abuse-second degree charge carries a maximum penalty of up to four years in state prison under Michigan law. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will recommend a specific sentence as part of the plea agreement.
Kylee's paternal great-uncle, Jeffrey Clark, expressed frustration with the outcome when speaking to local NBC affiliate WDIV. "Kylee's mother lied right from the get-go about pretty much everything," he said. "She's just rotten. I mean, it's her own flesh and blood."
The case remains under review by Wayne County prosecutors, who have emphasized that Averhart's plea admission establishes sufficient factual basis for the court to proceed with sentencing.