WV - Woman charged with starving 11-year old stepdaughter who weighed 43 lbs at death 16 Febr 2025 - Grafton, Taylor Co. - 20 Jan 2026

[Clearsky]

Woman Charged with Murder after Allegedly Starving Stepdaughter, 11, Who Died Weighing Just 43 lbs.

A West Virginia woman was arrested after allegedly starving her 11-year-old stepdaughter to death, authorities said.

people.com

Shannon Robinson, 51, was indicted by a Taylor County jury Tuesday, Jan. 20 on a charge of murder of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian, according to court documents obtained by WV Metro News, WDTV 5 and WBOY 12 News.

 

[Gemmie]

I had to read all the way to the bottom of the article you posted, to get an answer to my question. Just where was the father?? What I don't understand is if the couple lived there together, and she's not even the blood relative... why arrest her and not him? Or both? He'll likely face charges at some point but I'm not understanding why the newcomer to the family, and not the child's own father? That seems odd to me.

It's unclear if the girl's father, who also lived at the home, will face criminal charges.

 

[Gemmie]

Some snippets:

A Taylor County grand jury has indicted a Grafton woman

[There was apparently an] investigation by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office that began back in February 2025.

witnesses told deputies that the girl had been sick since the summer of 2024 to the point where she was unable to walk without assistance.

Robinson allegedly starved the child as a form of discipline while other members of the household had full meals in her presence.

Taylor County grand jury indicts stepmother in child murder case less than a week after charges filed - WV MetroNews

Shannon Robinson allegedly withheld food from the 11-year-old girl as punishment.

wvmetronews.com

 

[ivylambs]

Every single adult in that home is culpable, no ifs, ands, or buts.

 

[tlcya]

The autopsy concluded the child died from bilateral, diffuse, acute bronchopneumonia — a serious lung infection involving inflammation — with a failure to thrive listed as a contributing factor
Taylor County grand jury indicts 18, including Grafton woman charged in child’s death

Authorities said an investigation started after first responders were called to Robinson’s home on Feb. 16, 2025
Stepmother charged with murder after ’severely underweight’ child dies in her care: authorities

The criminal complaint against Shannon Faith Robinson https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/wvmn-s3/2026/01/Shannon-Robinson-criminal-complaint.pdf

why did it take nearly a YEAR for an indictment? Why hasn't the girl's father AM, who also lived there, been charged?? This is outrageous.

{ETA the father is identified by name in complaint doc. Victim is ID only as M.M., I can find no obituary for this poor girl]

[ETA the stepmother's FB page ]

 

[tlcya]

This couple isolated and torture and starved this child for years. Charging doc indicated Police wanted the father prosecuted too, why has he not been?

 

[tlcya]

WKMZ reports the child’s father, Aaron Moran, was aware of his daughter’s worsening state but did not act due to fear he would be reported for child abuse or neglect.

The child was also starved as a form of punishment. If she misbehaved, Robinson and the child’s father would allegedly deny her food while they consumed meals in front of her, Law & Crime reports.
Stepmom charged with murder for allegedly starving 11-year-old girl to death

Investigators have not said whether the girl's father, Aaron Moran, or two other adults who were living in the same home at the time, will face any criminal charges for failing to intervene or stop the abuse. But the investigation has not concluded, they emphasized.

Moran allegedly did tell police that he was aware of his daughter's worsening physical condition.
Stepmother Who Was Charged With Murder Allegedly Starved Stepdaughter, 11, as Punishment for Misbehaving

the other two adults in the home per the complaint are the adult children of Shannon Robinson.

Aaron Moran FB

 

[tlcya]

found victim's obituary. Her name was Miana Lynn Moran. Rest in Peace sweet girl.