REMEMBERING KAYLEN

Kaylen Michelle Young was four years old. She was born on May 30, 2006, in Athens, Ohio, to Craig Young and Crystal Westerviller. Kaylen attended The Plains Preschool. She loved being outside and spending time with her family and friends. Those who knew her remembered a little girl with a contagious giggle and a presence that could brighten the room. She was also a big sister. Kaylen had sisters and was surrounded by grandparents, great grandparents and many other relatives who loved her. She was just days away from turning five. There should have been a birthday celebration. There should have been candles, presents and the excitement of becoming a five year old. Instead, Kaylen's family would be preparing for her funeral. Even after Kaylen could no longer be saved, she gave something extraordinary to others. Her family donated her organs so that other lives could continue. Her obituary described that final act simply: Kaylen's last gift was giving life to others.

KAYLEN'S STORY

On May 25, 2011, Kaylen was at home in The Plains with her stepmother, Ashley Young. Her father was away from the home. During that time, Kaylen suffered catastrophic injuries. Emergency responders were initially told that the little girl may have suffered a seizure. Kaylen was unconscious and struggling to breathe when help arrived. She was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus because of the severity of her condition. Doctors discovered that Kaylen's condition was not the result of an unexplained seizure. She had suffered devastating trauma to her head. The autopsy determined that Kaylen died from blunt force impact to the head and documented injuries involving her head, skull and brain. Investigators determined that Ashley Young had assaulted Kaylen. Prosecutors said Young choked the little girl and slammed her head into the floor with such force that investigators found an impression of Kaylen's head in the carpet. Kaylen's injuries were unsurvivable. On May 25, 2011, she died at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She was four years old. Her fifth birthday was May 30. She missed it by five days.

WARNING SIGNS

Information that emerged after Kaylen's death raised concerns that the fatal attack may not have been the first time she had been hurt. During later coverage of the case, Kaylen's family said they learned that her autopsy showed evidence of older injuries. Her grandmother said the family had not seen bruising or other outward indications that made them realize Kaylen was being abused. She described Ashley as appearing loving toward Kaylen when other family members were present. Whatever happened when others were not watching remained hidden until it was too late. Kaylen was four years old. She relied upon the adults around her to keep her safe and to recognize dangers she could not escape herself. The person entrusted with caring for her that day became the person responsible for ending her life.

JUSTICE FOR KAYLEN

Ashley Young was arrested and charged in connection with Kaylen's death. The criminal case initially stalled after Young was found incompetent to stand trial in October 2011. Following treatment, she was reevaluated. In May 2012, a judge determined that Young was competent and the prosecution moved forward. In October 2012, Young entered an Alford plea to aggravated murder, murder, endangering children, tampering with evidence and attempted aggravated possession of drugs.

An Alford plea allowed Young to maintain that she was not admitting guilt while acknowledging that prosecutors possessed sufficient evidence for a jury to convict her.

She was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after serving 20 years. The court also ordered Young to have no contact with Kaylen's family.

Ashley Young
Relationship to Kaylen: Stepmother
Convictions: Aggravated murder, murder, endangering children, tampering with evidence and attempted aggravated possession of drugs
Sentence: Life in prison with parole eligibility after 20 years

FOREVER REMEMBERED

Kaylen Michelle Young died five days before her fifth birthday. Five days. Her family should have been preparing a birthday cake. Instead, they were preparing to say goodbye. But the final chapter of Kaylen's life also tells us something remarkable about the people who loved her. When doctors could no longer save Kaylen, her family chose to donate her organs. Their little girl's life would end, but something from Kaylen would allow other people to continue living. Kaylen was more than the terrible way she died. She was a preschooler who loved being outdoors. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She had a contagious giggle. She was a daughter. A sister. A granddaughter. A friend. And she was almost five. There should have been another summer. Another school year. Another birthday and another after that.

There should have been enough years for Kaylen to discover what she loved, who she wanted to become and what kind of life she wanted to build. Those years were stolen from her. But her name does not have to disappear with them. Her name was Kaylen Young. Abuse Angels remembers Kaylen Michelle Young the little girl with the contagious giggle who loved the outdoors, loved her family and friends, and whose final gift gave others the chance to continue living. We remember Kaylen. We speak her name. And Kaylen Michelle Young will not be forgotten.