Executive Summary
- Shannon Robinson indicted for murder of a child by a guardian for failure to supply necessities.
- Medical examiner reports the 11-year-old victim weighed only 43 pounds at the time of death.
- Witnesses allege the suspect used starvation as discipline and refused medical care since 2020.
- The child’s father resided in the home, though no charges have been announced against him.
GRAFTON, W.Va. — A Taylor County grand jury has indicted a 51-year-old woman on murder charges in connection with the death of her 11-year-old stepdaughter, following an investigation into allegations of severe neglect and starvation.
Shannon Robinson was indicted Tuesday on one count of murder of a child by a guardian or custodian for the failure to supply the necessities of life. The indictment follows an inquiry by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office that began in February 2025.
According to court documents, first responders were dispatched to the Grafton residence on February 16, 2025. Upon arrival, they discovered the child unresponsive on the kitchen floor, not breathing, and wearing disposable protective undergarments.
A medical examiner’s report cited in the filings revealed the 11-year-old weighed approximately 43 pounds and stood 47 inches tall at the time of her death. The examination documented specific signs of neglect, including head lice, a yellowish tint to the skin, protruding bones, and multiple bruises and lacerations on the victim’s extremities and torso.
Witnesses provided statements to deputies alleging that the child had been ill since the summer of 2024 to the extent that she could not walk without assistance. Investigators stated that Robinson allegedly refused to seek medical care for the girl due to a fear of being reported to authorities for child abuse or neglect. Medical records indicate the child had not seen a doctor since 2020.
Further allegations detailed in the investigation suggest that Robinson withheld food from the child as a form of discipline. Witnesses reported that other members of the household consumed full meals in the child’s presence while she was starved.
Authorities confirmed the child’s father lived in the home during the alleged timeframe of abuse; however, there is currently no confirmation regarding potential charges against him. Robinson is currently held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail with no bond set.
Judicial Proceedings and Investigative Outlook
The indictment formally moves this case into the trial phase within the Taylor County Circuit Court system, where the focus will shift to the evidentiary value of the medical examiner’s findings and witness testimony regarding the specific charge of failure to supply necessities of life. While only Robinson faces charges at this moment, the presence of another adult in the home during the alleged timeline suggests the scope of the investigation could expand pending further prosecutorial review. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
