A West Virginia lady was charged with neglect after her 14-year-old daughter died “emaciated to a skeletal state,” according to authorities.
Julie Anne Stone Miller, 44, was charged with child neglect resulting in death after her daughter was discovered dead on the floor of a bathtub in her Charleston home, according to a criminal complaint.
A close family member verified to WOWK-TV that the teenager’s name was Kyneddi Miller.
Another family member stated that the girl had an eating disorder and had not eaten in months, according to the lawsuit. This source also stated that the girl had been unable to function for a week due to her physical condition.
Prosecutors cited the child’s “clear and distinct physical problems” as evidence of her mother’s neglect. According to the accusation, the teenager had only left the house twice in the four years leading up to her death.
According to police, the daughter and mother shared the residence with their grandparents.
Julie Miller’s cousin, Jessica Stone, told WCHS-TV that the family had been calling Child Protective Services and other law enforcement agencies for years to inquire about the matter.
On Tuesday, Republican West Virginia Governor Jim Justice stated that Child Protective Services had no knowledge of the situation.
“The CPS folks, from what I understand, had no idea about this child – no idea whatsoever,” Justice stated in a virtual media briefing in response to a query from WSAZ-TV.
“What should we do to prevent this from happening again?” he asked rhetorically. “We’ve got to pour more money into this, we’ve got to have more workers and we’ve got to have more resources.”
The West Virginia Department of Human Services issued a statement cautioning the public not to jump to judgment.
“In light of our community’s most recent devastating loss of life, it is crucial to understand that CPS cannot prevent every instance of abuse or neglect,” the statement went on to say.
Julie Miller’s neighbors informed WOWK that they hadn’t seen her since 2019, but she was in good health at the time. They also reported seeing state personnel conduct many wellness inspections at the house.
According to police, the girl’s state was “shocking” enough to emotionally distress the rescue staff that responded.
Stone characterized the girl as colorful and energetic.
“She was a beautiful girl, so smart and so funny,” she remarked. “Of course, we will beat ourselves until the day that I die for not kicking that door down and demanding to see her,” Stone remarked.
Julie Miller is being jailed at Southwestern Regional Jail on a bail of $250,000. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.