West Virginia Governor Addresses Failure in Reporting Suspected Child Neglect

The tragic case of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller, who was found in a skeletal state after months of neglect, has sparked controversy in West Virginia. A state trooper reportedly made a report to a local child welfare office, but the information never made it into the state’s Child Protective Services System.

Governor Jim Justice expressed disappointment in the lack of follow-up on the trooper’s report, stating that more should have been done to ensure the safety of children in need. This revelation comes amid a WSAZ Investigation, “Deadly Details Denied,” which has been uncovering information about Kyneddi’s case since April.

Despite initial claims that CPS had no record of Kyneddi, an anonymous letter received by WSAZ detailed multiple referrals involving the teenager dating back to 2009. The letter also referenced audio and call logs from the West Virginia State Police, further corroborating the trooper’s report.

Secretary Cynthia Persily of the Department of Human Services initially denied any knowledge of the referrals, but State Police stood behind the evidence they provided to WSAZ. Governor Justice, while acknowledging the trooper’s report, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions.

WSAZ’s investigation also revealed that other states release information on CPS history in a timely manner following a child’s death. Governor Justice, however, seemed hesitant to address this discrepancy, choosing to focus on the ongoing investigation.

As the case continues to unfold, questions remain about the effectiveness of West Virginia’s child welfare system and the need for transparency in reporting child neglect cases. The tragic death of Kyneddi Miller serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely intervention and accountability in protecting vulnerable children.