HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A Huntington man and woman will spend the rest of their lives behind bars after a jury found them guilty Thursday in the death of a 3-year-old boy.
Mariya Jones and Aaron Miles were found guilty in the death of Jayden Jones, including on a charge of murder of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian and second degree murder.
The two were arrested in July 2016 after the child’s body was found at a Huntington home on 7th Avenue. Mariya Jones was the child’s mother and Aaron Miles was the stepfather.
According to the state medical examiner, the child was severely abused. A doctor said Jayden was tortured.
The death of a child by parent carries a life sentence. The jury recommended life with no mercy, which was upheld by Cabell Circuit Judge Paul Farrell.
Mariya Jones previously pleaded guilty to three counts of child abuse, while Miles had pleaded guilty to child neglect.