CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey says the state Department of Human Services is investigating a Taylor County case that resulted in the death of an 11-year-old girl.
“The Department of Human Services has opened up an investigation,” Morrisey said during a media briefing last Friday. “We’re looking at all of the details around (the death). As they go through that process they want to be diligent.”
Miana Moran died in February 2025. Her primary caregiver, Shannon Robinson, 51, of Grafton, has been charged with causing her death by withholding food from her as part of her punishment. Moran weighed 43 pounds when she died.
Robinson was charged earlier this month. She was indicted by a Taylor County grand jury last week and arraigned by a circuit judge. She’s being held without bond.
Moran’s biological father, Aaron Moran, was arrested Saturday after his release from the hospital. An indictment was unsealed and he’s also charged with murder after allegedly allowing Robinson to withhold care from his daughter.
WCHS-TV reports state CPS (Child Protective Services) visited the home several times including just a few days before Moran’s death but took no action.
Morrisey said Friday there are two things the state is looking into.
“Number 1, there always needs to be accountability in situations like this, if there’s a terrible action. We already know there’s been a criminal complaint filed and that’s very important,” Morrisey said. “And second, we know there was another child in the house and when they were notified that person got removed.”
Morrisey said it’s for situations like these that his administration instituted several changes in the DoHS last summer when it comes to staffing and reporting.
“This is the reason why when I took over we wanted to make sure we are doing all of these changes and reforms and we have been instituting them. It’s going to take some time for everything to take root but I think we are doing things a lot differently than we did in the past and I think that’s important,” Morrisey said.
Moran lived in Taylor County but was enrolled in the Upshur County Schools virtual program in 2021.
Story by Jeff Jenkins, MetroNews