A West Virginia man who prosecutors described as an 11-year-old girl’s “psychological brother” has been charged with murder after authorities say he watched her parents starve her to death.
Tyler Levi Carter was taken into custody and charged with one count of murder of a child by a parent, guardian, custodial or other person of trust in connection with the death of 11-year-old Miana Moran.
Carter, 29, was arrested after Miana’s father, Aaron Moran, and her stepmother, Shannon Robinson, were charged in January after investigators claimed that Miana endured prolonged neglect inside of the family’s home.
Prosecutors claimed that Carter lived in the home with the girl and occasionally babysat her, which means that he was aware of her declining health and malnourishment. Investigators said that Carter knew she wasn’t receiving adequate food or medical treatment and he did not try to help her despite having several opportunities, according to the Mountain Statesman.
“He should have done something,” Taylor County Prosecutor John Bord said, per West Virginia Public Broadcasting. “He was a person in a position of trust with those girls. He could have called CPS. He could have called law enforcement. He could have called the doctor. He could have called somebody and asked for help for the girl.”
The criminal complaint stated that Carter and another household member discussed a plan to remove the girl from the home, though they never followed through.
Authorities also believe that Carter acknowledged the child had been sick “for a little while” and that he was aware she was using diapers due to prolonged diarrhea. As the investigation continued, investigators learned that the girl had gone years without receiving documented medical care.
An autopsy was performed on the child, which found she was about 47 inches tall and weighed only 43 pounds.
“The medical examiner further noted head lice, a yellowish tint to the skin, extreme thinness with bones visibly protruding, and multiple bruises and lacerations on the extremities and torso,” police wrote in the affidavit for Robinson’s arrest, according to Law & Crime. “The report noted [Miana] was markedly underweight, with height and weight well below the fifth percentile for her age and sex.”
Miana’s cause of death was ultimately determined to be bilateral, diffuse, acute bronchopneumonia, with failure to thrive listed as a contributing factor.
Deputies said Carter and another household member discovered the lifeless girl in a bedroom. They initially believed she was asleep and tried to wake her, though they later learned she was unresponsive and not breathing.
Prosecutors also claimed that multiple adults in the home allowed the conditions that led to Miana’s death, which grew worse over time.
Carter is currently in custody without bond at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
It is not currently clear if Carter has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The investigation into Miana’s death remains ongoing.
The Tyler County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
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