Stepmother Faces Murder Charge After 11-Year-Old Stepdaughter Found Starved to Death
In a deeply distressing case that has shocked the community, a 51-year-old woman has been charged with murder following the death of her severely underweight 11-year-old stepdaughter. Shannon Robinson was arrested after police discovered the unresponsive child on the kitchen floor of her West Virginia home on February 16.
Horrific Discovery and Medical Findings
According to court documents and police reports, the young girl was found wearing disposable pull-ups and weighed a mere 19.5kg (approximately 43 pounds) at the time of her death. Medical examiners noted her height of 3 feet, 11 inches was "grossly inconsistent with her age", indicating severe malnutrition and stunted growth.
The medical examination revealed a harrowing picture of neglect. The child had protruding bones, head lice, and multiple bruises and wounds across her body. Investigators stated that Robinson had claimed the girl had been suffering from "flu-like symptoms" for about a week prior to her death. However, it was discovered that the stepmother had deliberately withheld medical care from the child since 2020.
Allegations of Deliberate Starvation and Punishment
Police allege that Robinson systematically kept food from the child as a form of punishment, while other household members consumed full meals in her presence. This alleged pattern of deprivation ultimately led to the girl's starvation. A witness reported that the child had been ill since 2024 and had eventually lost the ability to walk independently.
Investigators further revealed that Robinson avoided taking the girl to doctors out of fear of being arrested for child neglect or abuse. The stepmother has been charged with murder of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian. She had lived with the girl since 2020.
Family Context and Ongoing Investigation
While the girl's father was also residing in the home, it remains unclear whether he will face any charges in connection with this tragic case. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the full timeline of events leading to the child's death.
Parallel Case Highlights Pattern of Child Neglect
This heartbreaking incident follows another recent case where an 11-year-old girl was found starved to death with only a single blueberry in her stomach. Jacqueline Torres-Garcia, known as Mimi, was discovered deceased in the basement of a vacant home in New Britain, Connecticut, on October 8.
Her mother, Karla Garcia, 29, faces murder charges and multiple related offences. A medical examiner determined the child suffered from severe malnutrition and muscle atrophy, weighing just 12kg at the time of her death. Garcia has pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $5 million bond, with a court appearance scheduled for January 30.
These parallel cases underscore the devastating consequences of extreme child neglect and the urgent need for robust safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable children from such horrific fates.
