West Virginia Mother Arrested After Her 14-Year-Old Daughter Dies in ‘Emaciated, Skeletal State': Court Docs

A West Virginia mother has been arrested in connection with the death of her 14-year-old daughter, who authorities say was found dead in the bathroom of her home.

On the morning of April 17, deputies responded to a residence in Morrisvale in regard to a teen in cardiac arrest, according to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

The girl’s “physical appearance was shocking with an obvious emaciated, skeletal state,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by West Virginia Metro News.

Investigators believe the victim had an undiagnosed eating disorder, but she hadn’t received any medical treatment in the last four years.

The victim’s grandmother told investigators the girl hadn’t been eating in for several months, and her physical health worsened to the point where she couldn’t perform everyday tasks on her own.

The grandmother also told police that the teen hadn’t been to school since around 2019 or 2020, and the girl hadn't left the house often for years. Police believe the victim was being home-schooled.

Autopsy results are pending.

The child’s mother, 49-year-old Julie Miller was arrested and charged with child neglect resulting in death, officials said.

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She was booked into the West Virginia Regional Jail and was being held on a $250,000 bail.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be possible.