A Michigan lady was arrested after allegedly beating her 14-year-old autistic daughter because she “didn’t want this child anymore.”
Vangie Renee Averhart, 37, is charged with murder in the death of Kylee Clark, who died in a Detroit-area hospital in July, according to court documents.
Kylee died from blunt force injuries to the back of the head, which prosecutors compared to being involved in a high-speed vehicle accident, according to the Metro Detroit News. Averhart reportedly provided several explanations of how her daughter received her injuries, none of which made sense.
She stated the girl choked on a meal and then a banana. She also blamed her boyfriend, who passed a lie detector test and was not there during the incident, according to the Metro Detroit News.
Prosecutors claimed Kylee, who was nonverbal, lived in a closed room. Her mother apparently expressed to others that she “didn’t want this child anymore.” Child Protective Services has already examined Averhart on multiple occasions due to worries about Kylee’s safety, according to MDN.
Kylee’s family members informed local NBC affiliate WDIV that she was injured at her house on July 7 and died five days later in the hospital.
“From the beginning, Kylee’s mother lied about almost everything. “She’s just rotten,” her paternal great-uncle Jeffrey Clark told the publication. “I mean, it’s her own flesh and blood.”
Clark claimed Kylee’s father had attempted to obtain custody of the girl in the months preceding the suspected murder.
“And supposedly she said ‘you can have her, I don’t want her,'” remembered Clark. “It’s difficult to fathom. I’m not sure if it’s vengeful behavior on her part or if she’s simply evil.”
Averhart remains in Wayne County Jail without bond. Her next court date is set on November 26.
Kylee’s obituary stated that she “left an everlasting mark on the hearts of those who knew her.”
“Kylee had a lively spirit and a lovely way of seeing the world. “She loved music — it brought her joy and comfort — and she was always happiest when her favorite snacks were nearby,” according to the obituary. “She saw beauty in all colors and brought light into every room with her energy. Kylee, who enjoys textures, feelings, and working with her hands, discovered satisfaction in the small things that others may overlook. Whether it was a soft blanket, a crunchy snack, or a rhythmic tune, she welcomed the world in her own special manner.”
