CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Justice administration has called a news conference for next Thursday to discuss the results of its investigation into how the state handled the Kyneddi Miller case.
Miller, 14, of Morrisvale, died last month in her home. Investigators described her as “emaciated in a skeletal state.”
There’s disagreement between the state Department of Health Services and state police on the results of a 2023 visit to the home by a now retired state police trooper.
State police maintain the trooper drove to the CPS office in Foster and made a referral in person. Gov. Jim Justice has said those in the office don’t remember the trooper coming in the building.
The Justice administration announced Friday evening the news conference will be next Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. It will take place in-person at the capitol and involve Gov. Justice’s Chief of Staff Brian Abraham, West Virginia State Police Chief of Staff Maj. James Mitchell, West Virginia Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Cynthia Persily and West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt.
MetroNews “Talkline” Host Hoppy Kercheval first reported Friday the investigation was winding down.
“Sources say Justice Admin is planning for a press conference late next week, possibly Thursday, to release details of its investigation into how State Police and CPS handled the case of a 14-year-old Boone County girl who eventually died and was found in skeletal state,” Kercheval tweeted Friday. Presser is expected to reveal results of interviews with State Police and CPS employees. There have been conflicting stories about who talked to whom and when after State Police were called to the girl’s home. The child’s mother and grandparents have been charged.”
Justice discussed the investigation during his media briefing earlier this week following questions from MetroNews and other media outlets.
“We are having each one of those agencies gather the information and then report the information to our office. And we have very experienced lawyers here in our office, and a report will be put out as soon as we gather the information,” Justice said in response to a MetroNews question.
“I don’t know any better way to do it. We’ve got several different agencies that are involved, and so we’ve got to gather the information first. Now once we gather the information, if we have reason to believe we didn’t get all the information or there’s people that are withholding stuff and everything, then we’ll dig deeper. If we gather the information and everything looks in order, we’ll report what we’ve got and move forward.”
Kyneddi Miller’s mother, Julie Miller, remains in jail on $250,000 bail. A judge denied her request Thursday to lower the bond. The grandparents are currently free on bond. All three are charged with felony child neglect resulting in death.