Michigan – In a deeply disturbing case that has shaken residents in Michigan, a 37-year-old mother, identified as V. Averhart, will stand trial for the death of her 14-year-old daughter, identified as K. Clark, a nonverbal teen with autism and Cornelia de Lange syndrome. A judge ruled this week that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for Averhart to face charges of second-degree murder and child abuse stemming from the July 2025 killing.
According to testimony heard during a preliminary court hearing, prosecutors say Averhart violently beat her daughter, leaving her with serious head injuries that led to her death. A child abuse pediatrician testified that Clark suffered from massive intracranial bleeding and blunt force trauma to the head. He described the injuries as “significant, direct blunt force blows” requiring “a significant amount of force” to inflict—injuries that were neither minor nor accidental.
The fatal assault occurred on July 7 inside their home. Averhart’s boyfriend, who was present in court, testified that he briefly left Clark alone with her mother for about ten minutes. Moments later, he said, Averhart screamed for help. When he entered the room, Clark was making distressing noises. He said he pulled a piece of food from her mouth and attempted CPR while paramedics were called. Clark was taken to the hospital but died five days later, on July 12. Though Averhart initially told investigators Clark had choked—first on a sandwich, then a banana—her story repeatedly shifted. At one point, she accused her boyfriend of harming the girl, claiming he had slapped her. However, the boyfriend was not present at the time of the injuries and passed a polygraph test, which prosecutors say corroborates his innocence.
Prosecutors argue the motive behind the killing was chillingly self-serving. Assistant Prosecutor T. Ripley said Averhart “no longer wanted to care for Clark” and had made it clear she “didn’t want this child anymore,” instead wanting to focus on her relationship with her boyfriend. In the words of Ripley: “Ms. Averhart is only trying to protect herself. She wasn’t interested in protecting Clark.” The defense, however, maintains that Averhart is not responsible. Her attorney, D. Whittie, claimed, “I think we have the wrong person sitting in the chair next to me,” insisting that the boyfriend played a role in the child’s death. Still, the judge ruled that the evidence presented—particularly the medical findings and inconsistent statements—was strong enough to proceed to trial.
Beyond the courtroom, the tragedy of Clark’s life and death is being mourned by her father’s side of the family, who said they had long feared for her safety. Her paternal great-uncle described Averhart’s behavior as “rotten” and recounted that she had once said, “You can have her, I don’t want her.” He revealed Clark’s father had been attempting to gain custody before her death. The Department of Child Protective Services had reportedly investigated Averhart several times in the past over concerns for Clark’s well-being, but the child remained in her mother’s custody.
Clark lived in a locked bedroom, isolated from the rest of the household. Her obituary paints a heartbreaking portrait of a child full of quiet joy: a girl who loved music, bright colors, snacks, and the simple comfort of soft textures. It described her as having “a vibrant soul and a beautiful way of experiencing the world” and someone who “left an everlasting mark on the hearts of those who knew her.” Averhart is being held in the county jail without bond. Her next court date is set for December 26. As legal proceedings continue, the broader question remains: how did so many warning signs go unanswered until it was too late to save Clark?
