‘We have failed’ — Taylor County senator calls for more CPS accountability after 11 year-old dies

by Amelia Ferrell Knisely, West Virginia Watch
January 27, 2026

A state senator has called for more accountability into Child Protective Services after workers visited the home of an 11-year-old girl in Taylor County weeks before she was found unresponsive on a kitchen floor severely malnourished and wearing a pull-up diaper.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey said an “internal investigation” is underway into Miana Moran’s death in early 2025.

“She was a child made in the image of God and she deserved protection,” said Sen. Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, Tuesday on the Senate floor. “We cannot accept the system where the agency investigates itself behind closed doors and elect lawmakers who are unable to confirm that children are truly being protected.”

WCHS first reported last week that CPS made numerous visits to the home of Miana Moran, but took no action prior to the child’s death in early 2025. Those details were shared by the prosecuting attorney now leading a murder case tied to her death. 

“If those reports are accurate, West Virginians are right to ask obvious and fair questions, ‘How did this happen?” Taylor said.

“We have failed in our responsibilities for our children. That is hard to say, but it’s necessary to say,” he continued.

Miana Moran weighed 43 pounds when she died early last year. A medical examiner said the girl had head lice, a yellowish tint to her skin, bones “visibly protruding” because of her extreme thinness, and multiple bruises and lacerations on her body. Miana Moran had been enrolled in the Upshur County Schools virtual program in 2021.

Shannon Robinson, a custodian of the girl, and the child’s biological father, Aaron James Moran, were arrested and charged with murder of the girl.

Senate members held a moment of silence for Miana Moran. 

Taylor said legislation is being drafted in response to the girl’s death to create “meaningful reform.”’ He called for increased legislative visibility over CPS without compromising the privacy of children’s cases.

“We do not continue to accept a system where the public not only learns what went wrong when a child is dead,” Taylor said.  “The time is now to reform Child Protective Services in the state — not with rhetoric, not with excuses, but with accountability, transparency and responsibility worthy of the trust West Virginians place in us.”

In 2024, 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller was found dead in a skeletal state in her Boone County home. Reporters uncovered that CPS and the West Virginia State Police were aware of Miller prior to her death; state foster care officials said they had no record of a referral that could have prompted an investigation. After a controversial investigation into the situation, the Department of Human Services said it would tighten up its abuse and neglect referral process and said it would change how it screens those referrals. 

A recent federal audit of the West Virginia’s foster care system showed the state didn’t comply with investigation requirements when responding to the majority of reports of child abuse and neglect during the time period reviewed (Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024).

State lawmakers have introduced bills this session attempting to bolster accountability for DoHS, which oversees West Virginia’s overwhelmed foster care system. One measure, House Bill 4579, would require CPS workers to wear a body camera while investigating reports of child abuse and neglect. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, where it hasn’t yet been taken up for consideration.

Morrisey has announced his own proposed foster care reforms since taking office, including increasing transparency of the struggling system. 

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.