‘Psychological Brother’ Did Nothing as 11-Year-Old Was Starved and Forced to Watch Others Eat; Now Arrested

Authorities made another arrest in the death of 11-year-old Miana Moran, who died from pneumonia with, “failure to thrive” and “underweight” identified as contributing factors by a medical examiner.

According to Taylor County prosecutor John Bord, the victim’s “psychological brother” and household member, Tyler Levi Carter, was charged with murder by a parent, guardian, custodian or other person of trust.

Carter allegedly failed to provide medical care or food for Moran, knowing she was deprived of both, the Mountain Statesman reported.

The 29-year-old reportedly babysat Moran in the past and even discussed a plan with another household member to get the child out of the house and seek help. Neither followed up on their plan.

Carter was arrested on April 9 and is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail without bond.

The child’s father, Aaron James Moran, and caretaker, Shannon Robinson, have both been charged with her murder.

The father placed the victim in Robinson’s care after his divorce in 2020 and after being granted custody of his two daughters.

“We’re alleging that he knowingly allowed Shannon Robinson to be the custodian of the child, and that she basically failed to provide the necessary food and medical care. He allowed it to happen,” Bord said.

Miana attended school virtually via the Upshur County school system and was the subject of an ongoing Child Protective Services case. The Mountain Statesman reported that a caseworker visited the home weeks before Miana’s death.

The autopsy details sent shockwaves across the community. The 11-year-old was 47 inches tall and weighed just 43 pounds, with a medical examiner describing the BMI as “grossly inconsistent with her chronological age.”

Miana was found with head lice and a yellowish tint to the skin and extreme thinness with protruding bones, as per the report. Several bruises and lacerations were also found on the child’s body.

Robinson told deputy Chris MacQueen that the child was suffering from a flu one week prior to the incident. However, no medical treatment was sought.

Carter told MacQueen she had been sick “for a little while,” though he could not exactly say when. The criminal complaint stated that Carter noted the child was wearing diapers due to “ongoing diarrhea”.

Carter and another household member found Miana in her bedroom, initially believing she was sleeping. When they tried to wake her, she was cold to the touch. She was moved to the kitchen floor by her father, who called 911, as per the criminal complaint.

Aaron Moran and Robinson reportedly isolated the child from outside contact starting in early summer 2024. The 11-year-old’s condition worsened until she was unable to walk without assistance.

The family allegedly used food deprivation as a form of punishment for Miana.

Investigators concluded Aaron Moran’s compliance created “prolonged conditions of starvation, failure to thrive, and untreated illness,” which directly caused the child’s death.

“This is just an incredibly sad case,” said Prosecutor Bord. “We continue to learn new details as we try to piece together what Miana’s life was really like prior to her death. This investigation continues, and we will hold accountable anyone that played a part in this child’s death.”