An 11-year-old girl was tragically discovered dead, weighing only 20kg and allegedly starved at her residence, as reported by the authorities. Shannon Robinson, 51, was taken into custody after law enforcement found her stepdaughter in critical condition on the kitchen floor on February 16. The police revealed that the girl, under Robinson’s care, was found wearing disposable pull-ups and had been unwell with flu-like symptoms before the distressing incident. Medical examiners determined that the girl’s weight of 19.5kg (43 pounds) and height of 3 feet, 11 inches were severely inappropriate for her age, along with visible signs of malnourishment, head lice, bruises, and wounds.
Robinson, residing in West Virginia, had been living with the child since 2020 and is now facing charges for the alleged murder of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian. Investigations suggest that Robinson deliberately deprived the girl of food, making her witness others in the household eat while she was denied sustenance, ultimately leading to her demise. It was also disclosed that Robinson intentionally avoided seeking medical help for the child since 2020, and a witness mentioned that the girl had been ailing since 2024, losing her ability to walk unassisted.
Allegedly, Robinson refrained from seeking medical assistance due to fears of legal repercussions for child neglect or abuse. While the girl’s father was also residing in the same home, it remains undisclosed if he will face any charges related to the distressing situation. This tragic incident follows another similar case where an 11-year-old girl, identified as Jacqueline Torres-Garcia or Mimi, was discovered deceased with severe malnutrition and muscle atrophy, weighing merely 12kg, in a vacant home in New Britain, Connecticut. Her mother, Karla Garcia, 29, has been charged with murder and associated offenses, pleading not guilty and currently held on a $5 million bond, with a court appearance scheduled for January 30.