Father, Caretaker Charged In Girl’s Death

When 11-year-old Miana Moran died in Taylor County last February, she weighed just 43 pounds – far less than a typical child her age. The medical examiner listed her cause of death as pneumonia with “failure to thrive” and “underweight” listed as contributing factors. 

With the medical examiner’s report in, her father, Aaron James Moran, and caretaker, Shannon Robinson, have both been indicted and now charged with her murder, said Taylor County prosecuting attorney John Bord.

“We’re alleging that he knowingly allowed Shannon Robinson to be the custodian of the child, and that she basically failed to provide the necessary food and medical care. He allowed it to happen,” Bord said.

The investigation, Bord said, is not over.

“We’re still looking for some answers, see if anyone else was involved.

Sen. Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, is also looking for answers. He showed Miana’s photo on the Senate floor Tuesday telling his colleagues, “She deserved protection.”

“The Taylor County prosecutor has publicly stated that Child Protective Services (CPS) visited the home multiple times prior to Miana’s death, including within the final weeks before she died,” Taylor said. 

Late Tuesday a spokesperson confirmed, “The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) is conducting a thorough review of the matter. Once complete, DoHS will disclose all the information allowed under the law.”

“That alone tells us what every West Virginian already knows. Something went wrong, and it cannot be ignored,” Taylor said. 

Taylor added that he understands CPS is overworked, understaffed and underpaid. But those challenges, he said, are not acceptable excuses for failing a child.