West Virginia authorities arrested Aaron James Moran, 42, the biological father of an 11-year-old girl who died after years of malnutrition, neglect, and isolation, according to documents legal proceedings.

Moran faces a charge. of the murder of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian for refusal or failure to provide necessities, as well as child neglect resulting in death, in connection with the death of Miana Moran.

Arrest after leaving the hospital

Moran was arrested over the weekend after a grand jury issued a secret indictment, which was made public once the defendant was released from a hospital, reported WCHS, the Fox and ABC affiliate in Charleston. State Police officers executed the arrest warrant immediately after his release from the medical center. The girl's stepmother, Shannon Robinson, 51, and primary caregiver, had already been arrested earlier in the month and faces similar charges. The Discovery of the Child: According to the affidavit, on February 16, 2025, shortly before 8:40 pm, Taylor County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call about an unconscious child at a residence in Grafton. Upon arrival, they found Miana lying on the kitchen floor, while paramedics attempted to revive her. "She appeared extremely small for her age, very underweight, and malnourished," an officer wrote. “She was wearing disposable diapers and was not breathing or responding.”

The girl was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:32 pm

Autopsy: Extreme Malnutrition and Prolonged Neglect

The medical examiner determined that Miana weighed only 43 pounds, a weight “totally inconsistent” with her age. The report also documented: severe malnutrition, stunted growth, lice, jaundice, Extreme thinness with visible bones and multiple bruises and lacerations.

The cause of death was acute bilateral bronchopneumonia, with growth retardation as a contributing factor.

Isolation and deprivation as punishment

Interviews with family and friends revealed that Miana was isolated from the outside world and that her health progressively deteriorated since mid-2024, to the point where she could not walk without assistance.

Investigators maintain that food deprivation was used as punishment: “If the victim resisted, she was denied food or only provided with minimal nutrition, while other household members ate normally in her presence.”

Medical records showed that the girl had not seen a doctor since 2020.

Moran was remanded to the North Central Regional Jail without bail. It has not been reported when he will appear in court again.