MORRISVALE, WV – In a sorrowful discovery, a 14-year-old girl was found deceased in her home in Morrisvale, West Virginia. The teenager, identified by the authorities by her initials “K.M.,” was discovered after deputies were called to the residence for a reported death.
Investigators described the scene as distressing, with the young girl appearing “emaciated to a skeletal state.” Her mother, 49-year-old Julie Anne Stone Miller, now faces felony child neglect resulting in death charges. Boone County Sheriff Chad Barker commented on the severity of the case, noting the ongoing, highly active investigation.
Kyneddi Miller, as Barker confirmed the girl’s identity, had not attended school since as early as 2019. The investigators contend that Miller’s mother failed to provide adequate care and medical treatment, potentially for several years, leading to the teenager’s weakened condition and eventual cardiac arrest.
Julie Anne Stone Miller was arraigned the following day with no plea entered. The charges against her carry a potential sentence of three to fifteen years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted. The investigation revealed the extent of Kyneddi’s failing health, which had been declining for an indeterminate amount of time.
The mother’s criminal history appeared negligible, with only a minor shoplifting charge noted from 2017. Authorities are now examining the family’s history with Child Protective Services and any truancy or homeschooling laws that may have played a role in Kyneddi’s unchecked deterioration.
Sheriff Barker expressed the emotional toll the case had taken on the first responders and emphasized the importance of piecing together what transpired behind closed doors. He mentioned that no other children had been living at the home, where two grandparents also resided.
The case takes on an added layer of complexity as the community and investigators grapple with the possibility that an eating disorder, mentioned by witnesses but not medically documented, may have been a factor in Kyneddi’s condition.
A preliminary hearing for Miller is scheduled, during which she may enter a plea. Until then, the community and law enforcement officials continue to unravel the distressing circumstances of this tragedy, seeking justice for Kyneddi.
