W.Va. grandparents arrested after granddaughter was found dead in 'emaciated, skeletal state'

BOONE COUNTY, W.Va. (TCD) -- A 76-year-old woman and her 75-year-old husband were taken into custody about a month after their 14-year-old granddaughter was found dead in their home in "an obvious emaciated, skeletal state."

Court records show Donna Stone and Jerry Stone were arrested Monday, May 20, for child neglect by parent, guardian, or custodian causing death, and they both pleaded not guilty. WCHS-TV, which cites the criminal complaint, reports the Stones did not "exercise a minimum degree of care" to the 14-year-old victim, Kyneddi Miller, before her death.

On April 17, Boone County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a call about a teen in cardiac arrest at a home on Cameo Road, but when they arrived, the girl was deceased. The sheriff’s office said her body was "in a severely emaciated state," which caused them to start an investigation into her death. As a result, deputies arrested the girl’s mother, Julie Miller, for child neglect resulting in death.

Sheriff Chad Barker said in a news conference that Kyneddi Miller likely suffered from an undiagnosed eating disorder. She lived at the same residence as her mother and grandparents, and Barker believes she was homeschooled. She reportedly had not attended school since 2019 or 2020.

According to WCHS, Donna Stone reportedly told investigators that Kyneddi Miller had not left the house more than twice in four years and that she did not eat anything for the several months leading up to her death. She reportedly could not function on her own for the last few days of her life.

Donna Stone and Jerry Stone each had bonds set at $25,000.

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