Shannon Robinson, 51, was indicted on Jan. 20 on a charge of murder of a child after her 11-year-old stepdaughter was found dead and severely malnourished in a Grafton home on Feb. 16, 2025. The medical examiner reported the girl weighed just 43 pounds and measured 47 inches — findings described as “grossly inconsistent with her age.” Witnesses allege the child had not received medical care since 2020 and that food was withheld as punishment. Robinson is held without bail while authorities continue their investigation; the father’s potential involvement remains unclear.
West Virginia Woman Indicted After 11-Year-Old Stepdaughter Found Severely Malnourished, Weighing Just 43 Pounds
West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility AuthorityShannon Robinson
A West Virginia woman has been indicted after authorities say her 11-year-old stepdaughter was found dead and severely malnourished in the family home.
Case Overview
Fifty-one-year-old Shannon Robinson was indicted by a Taylor County jury on Jan. 20 on a single count of murder of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian, according to charging documents cited by local news outlets. Robinson is being held without bail at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail pending further proceedings.
Discovery and Initial Response
Deputies from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Grafton residence on Feb. 16, 2025, and found the girl unresponsive on the kitchen floor, court records show. Officers reported the child appeared extremely underweight and was wearing disposable pull-ups when they arrived.
Autopsy and Medical Findings
The medical examiner reported that the child weighed just 43 pounds and measured 47 inches at the time of death — measurements described in the autopsy as “grossly inconsistent with her age.” The examiner also noted head lice, visible protruding bones, and multiple bruises and wounds.
Witness Statements and Background
Investigators learned the child had not received medical care since 2020, when she began living with Robinson. Witnesses interviewed during the investigation told police they had observed Robinson withholding food from the child as punishment, and that the girl was afraid to be taken to a hospital because she feared abuse reports. Those who saw the child said her condition had deteriorated to the point that she could no longer walk.
Legal Status and Ongoing Investigation
Robinson remains detained at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail. Local outlets reporting the case include WV Metro News, WDTV and WBOY, which obtained and cited the court documents. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child's death and to determine whether others who lived in the home, including the girl's father, will face charges.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Calls are confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages.
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