A Ferndale mother has pleaded no contest to first-degree child abuse in the death of her 14-year-old special-needs daughter, who suffered fatal head injuries last summer.
Vangie Averhart, 37, entered the plea today in Wayne County court and now faces up to life in prison. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 7. The plea agreement resolves a pending felony murder charge that had been filed in connection with the case.
Averhart's no-contest plea to first-degree child abuse was entered in circuit court today, according to The Detroit News. Prosecutors dismissed the felony murder count as part of the agreement, leaving sentencing as the next step.
Autopsy And Testimony Point To Blunt-Force Injuries
Medical testimony during earlier hearings indicated the teen did not choke but died after massive intracranial bleeding from blunt-force trauma to the back of her head. Doctors removed part of her skull to relieve swelling, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Family members and records say Kylee, who had Cornelia de Lange syndrome and was nonverbal, was taken to the hospital in July 2025 and died several days later.
Prosecutors’ Narrative And Defense Response
Prosecutors told judges Averhart appeared indifferent to her daughter's needs and, they say, wanted to be with a boyfriend rather than care for Kylee. That account, along with related courtroom testimony, is detailed by Law & Crime.
Defense attorneys countered that there was not probable cause to show Averhart killed Kylee, and court records show the case had been moving toward trial readiness before the plea was entered.
What A No-Contest Plea Means In Michigan
Under Michigan court rules, a nolo contendere, or no-contest, plea is treated like a guilty plea for sentencing. If the court accepts the plea, it may enter a conviction and impose punishment even though the defendant does not formally admit guilt, according to guidance from the Michigan courts.
Averhart is expected to return to court on Aug. 7, for sentencing, when a judge will set her prison term.
