California Man Accused Of Killing 4-Year-Old With Down Syndrome After She Interrupted Him

A California man is accused of killing a 4-year-old girl with Down Syndrome because she interrupted him, sheriff’s officials said.

Adam Hughes, 24, has been arrested and charged with murder after authorities said he assaulted Kylee Willis while he was babysitting his girlfriend’s children at their Rancho Cucamonga home.

“At some point during the night, Willis angered Hughes by interrupting him,” said a statement from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies said Hughes assaulted the young girl and then put her to bed, but discovered several hours later that she was non-responsive and had “blue fingers and lips.”

Hughes called his girlfriend, Corrine Blake, who called 911.

Willis was transported to the hospital and later flown to the Loma Linda University Medical Center, but she later died as the result of “severe head trauma” after spending several days on life support, investigators said.

Four-year-old Kylee Willis was killed after investigators said her mother's boyfriend assaulted her. Photo: Courtesy of Victor Willis

"The injuries to the 4-year old were obvious, intentional injuries," Cindy Bachman, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, told KABC. "And then upon the investigators interviewing Hughes, he told them that the child - who had Down Syndrome - had interrupted him. He was busy, she had interrupted him and he got angry at her." 

After Willis was injured, Hughes and Blake were both arrested for willful cruelty to a child. Hughes was later also charged with murder after the four-year-old’s death.

The four-year-old's father, Victor Willis, told Oxygen.com his daughter's had an Irish meaning of "beautiful". He described her as a "happy little girl" who could "get anyone to smile just from her smile." 

During the times the two spent together Victor Willis said his daughter never seemed depressed or acted hurt. 

"She was just full of joy, full of life, full of curiosity...and that was tragically taken from her," he said.

Her father described Kylee Willis as a happy child who was full of joy and curiosity. Photo: Courtesy of Victor Willis

He said although he wants those responsible for ending his daughter's life to "suffer as well" he said he plans to let law enforcement and the judicial process do what they are trained to do to get justice for Kylee.

"I'm no one to be judge, jury and executioner. I just kick myself for not knowing because then I could have protected her," he said. 

Hughes is being held without bail, while Blake has already been released on bail.

An 18-month old boy who was also living at the home has been taken into custody by Children and Family Services.