BOONE COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA, A West Virginia mother has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty in connection with the death of her 14-year-old daughter, Kyneddi Miller, a case that has prompted scrutiny of the state’s child welfare system.
Julie Miller, 51, was sentenced Wednesday in Boone County Circuit Court. Circuit Judge Stacy Nowicki-Eldridge ordered a life sentence with eligibility for parole after 15 years. If granted parole in the future, Miller would be subject to 50 years of supervision.
Miller previously pleaded guilty in November to the charge of death of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian.
According to a criminal complaint, Kyneddi Miller had an eating disorder, and authorities stated that her mother had not sought medical care for her in at least four years. Boone County Prosecutor Dan Holstein said the teen weighed 58 pounds (26 kilograms) at the time of her death.
Deputies were dispatched to the family’s home in the Morrisvale area of Boone County on April 17, 2024, in response to a report of cardiac arrest. Investigators described the teen’s condition as severely malnourished.
Authorities said the girl had not attended school since late 2019 or early 2020 and had reportedly only left the house a few times in several years. The mother told deputies the child was being homeschooled.
Court documents indicate that Kyneddi’s grandparents, Jerry Stone and Donna Stone, also lived in the home. Both were arrested in May 2024 and charged with child neglect resulting in death. A grand jury later indicted Julie Miller, Jerry Stone, and Donna Stone on charges including murder by parent, guardian, or custodian by failure or refusal to provide necessities, and child neglect resulting in death.
Donna Stone’s trial is scheduled for March 17, while Jerry Stone has been found incompetent to stand trial.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Nowicki-Eldridge described the circumstances as deeply troubling. Miller addressed the court and expressed remorse.
The case has led to increased scrutiny of West Virginia’s child welfare system. A federal audit released in November, prompted by the teen’s death, found the state did not consistently comply with requirements for responding to reports of abuse and neglect, including failures to conduct interviews and assess immediate safety risks in many cases.
Following the audit and public attention surrounding the case, the state Department of Human Services implemented changes requiring potential abuse and neglect cases to be formally documented through a centralized intake system.
Under West Virginia law, parents who homeschool children must conduct annual academic assessments, with specific reporting requirements at designated grade levels. State records cited by local media indicate that required assessments for Kyneddi Miller were not submitted.
State officials have said investigations into agency procedures and oversight continue as policymakers review potential reforms aimed at strengthening child protection services.
