Two relatives charged in the apparent starvation death of a Boone County teenager will be tried separately. A judge made the decision Friday during a pretrial hearing for the teen’s mother, Julie Miller, and grandmother, Donna Stone. Both are charged with murder by refusal or failure to provide necessities, and with child neglect resulting in death.
The case centers on 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller, whose body was found “emaciated to a skeletal state” at a Morrisvale home in April 2024. Investigators say she was denied food and medical care for months.
A third defendant, Kyneddi’s grandfather Jerry Stone, has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. The teen’s death also prompted broader investigations into West Virginia State Police, Child Protective Services, and homeschool oversight.
Julie Miller goes to trial December 2. Donna Stone’s trial is set for February 24.