West Virginia child abuse and starvation death cases
Julie Miller was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on February 25, 2026, in West Virginia, for the death of her 14-year-old daughter, Kyneddi Miller, who weighed 58 pounds and had not received medical care for at least four years. As of March 12, 2026, Kyneddi Miller's grandparents, Donna and Jerry Stone, have been charged in connection with her starvation death, with Jerry Stone found incompetent to stand trial. Additionally, Shannon Robinson and Aaron James Moran face murder charges for the death of 11-year-old Miana Moran, who weighed 43 pounds, prompting calls for Child Protective Services reforms from State Senator Jay Taylor and an investigation by Governor Patrick Morrisey.
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2026
17 updatesIn West Virginia, Kyneddi Miller's grandparents, Donna and Jerry Stone, have been charged in connection with her starvation death. Jerry Stone has been found incompetent to stand trial. These developments add to the ongoing legal proceedings for the child abuse and murder cases in the state.
Julie Miller has been sentenced to up to life in prison for the death of her 14-year-old daughter, Kyneddi Miller, who was found emaciated and had not received medical care for at least four years. This case has also sparked renewed calls for legislation regarding homeschooling safeguards.
Julie Miller was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for her 14-year-old daughter Kyneddi Miller's death, who was found in an emaciated state. Miller had pleaded guilty to death resulting from child abuse by a parent or guardian. Kyneddi Miller weighed 58 pounds at the time of her death in April 2024, and her mother had not sought medical care for at least four years.
Shannon Robinson, 51, has been charged with murder for allegedly starving her 11-year-old stepdaughter, Miana Moran, to death. The child weighed only 43 pounds at the time of her death. Robinson was charged on January 20, along with the girl's father, Aaron James Moran, who is accused of knowingly allowing his daughter to be mistreated.
via WVNS
West Virginia Senator is calling for reforms to Child Protective Services following the death of 11-year-old Miana Moran. Prosecutors allege the child had not received medical care since 2020 and was deprived of food as punishment. The case has raised questions about CPS involvement in the weeks before the child died.
via WCHS TV
It was reported that Aaron James Moran, the biological father, allegedly made his starving 11-year-old daughter, Miana Moran, watch as the family consumed full meals before her death.
via lawandcrime.com
State Senator Jay Taylor is demanding more accountability from Child Protective Services following Miana Moran's death, noting that CPS had visited the home weeks before the severely malnourished child was found unresponsive.
Miana Moran's cause of death was specified as pneumonia, with "failure to thrive" and being underweight as contributing factors. Charges were filed nearly a year after her death.
via wvpublic.org
Aaron James Moran, the father of 11-year-old Miana Moran, was arrested on January 24, 2026, and indicted by a Taylor County grand jury on charges including murder of a child by a parent and child neglect resulting in death. Authorities accuse Moran of complicity in allowing the child's severe malnutrition.
via wvnews.com
Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed that the State Department of Human Services has opened an investigation into the February 2025 death of 11-year-old Miana Moran.
via youtube.com
Shannon Robinson pleaded not guilty to murder and child neglect charges during her arraignment in Taylor County Circuit Court. Judge Shawn D. Nines denied bond for Robinson.
via wvnews.com
Shannon Robinson was initially charged with murder on January 14, 2026, and subsequently indicted by a grand jury on January 21, 2026. Authorities also reported that the 11-year-old victim was 47 inches tall, with her 43-pound weight being "grossly below the 5th percentile."
A Taylor County jury indicted Shannon Robinson on a charge of murder of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian by refusal or failure to supply necessities. She is being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail with no bail.
via people.com·truecrimenews.com·the-independent.com·lawandcrime.com
Shannon Robinson, 51, has been charged with murder and child neglect resulting in death in connection with the death of her 11-year-old stepdaughter, Miana Moran. Robinson is accused of denying the child food, nutrition, and medical care for years, and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A local lawmaker is calling for reforms within Child Protective Services following the case.
Shannon Faith Robinson, 51, of Grafton, has been charged with murder of a child by a parent, guardian, custodian or other person, following an 11-month investigation into the death of an 11-year-old girl in her care. Investigators stated Robinson allegedly created "prolonged conditions of starvation, failure to thrive and untreated illness," which directly caused the child's death. The charge stems from a report of an "unresponsive child" filed last winter.
via wvnews.com
The medical examiner noted Miana Moran was 47 inches tall with head lice and yellowish skin, measurements "grossly inconsistent" with her age. Shannon Robinson allegedly refused medical care for the sick child and starved her as punishment, with the child reportedly receiving no medical care since 2020.
Shannon Robinson, 51, was booked into jail in connection with her stepdaughter's death.
via people.com·truecrimenews.com·the-independent.com·lawandcrime.com
2025
4 updates
2025
4 updatesJulie Miller, the mother in the starvation death case of her daughter Kyneddi Miller, will face a stricter penalty due to a 2017 West Virginia law known as Emmaleigh's Law. This law doubled the sentence for such crimes, allowing Miller to face a sentence of 15 years to life for her role in the death of her 14-year-old daughter, who was found deceased in a skeletal state.
via YouTube
A medical examiner determined the pre-teen weighed approximately 43 pounds at the time of her death. Further investigation indicated that food deprivation was used as a punishment, with the victim reportedly denied food or given minimal nourishment while other household members ate full meals.
via people.com·truecrimenews.com·the-independent.com·lawandcrime.com
Initial investigation revealed that the 11-year-old had not received any medical treatment since 2020, when she began living with Robinson. Robinson allegedly told investigators the child had flu-like symptoms for about a week prior to her death.
via people.com·truecrimenews.com·the-independent.com·lawandcrime.com
Deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff's Office responded to Shannon Robinson's home in Grafton, West Virginia, where they found her 11-year-old stepdaughter unresponsive on the kitchen floor. The child was severely underweight and wearing disposable pull-ups. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
via people.com·truecrimenews.com·the-independent.com·lawandcrime.com
2024
2 updates
2024
2 updatesA grand jury has indicted Julie Miller and her parents, Donna and Jerry Stone, on murder charges in connection with the death of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller. Kyneddi's emaciated body was found in April 2024, and the indictment follows earlier charges against Julie Miller for child neglect causing death. The case has prompted an investigation into whether authorities could have intervened.
via apnews.com
A grand jury has returned a murder indictment against the mother and two grandparents of a 14-year-old West Virginia girl whose emaciated body was found in her home. Felony child neglect charges were initially filed against the girl's mother and grandparents. The State Department of Human Services has also opened an investigation into the girl's death.
2025
Story began · 1 year, 1 mo ago