The father of an 11-year-old girl, prosecutors sa,y was neglected and starved as punishmen,t appeared in court for the first time since his arrest more than a week ago.
Aaron Moran, 42, of Grafton, was arraigned Monday before Taylor County Circuit Court Judge Shawn Nines on charges of murder of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian through refusal or failure to provide necessities, along with child neglect resulting in death.
Judge Nines entered a not guilty plea on Moran’s behalf and denied him bond, citing a separate and confidential court case. Moran’s attorney asked for home confinement due to undisclosed “medical issues,” but the request was denied.
“There is a confidential case that the court participated in and is aware of and has information from that it uses to consider whether or not setting a bond for Mr. Moran today,” Nines said. “The court has denied bond because of those facts and circumstances underlying the matter, because of the information the court has in the confidential case and because of the nature of the alleged offense.”
Moran’s daughter, Miana Moran, died on Feb. 16, 2025, after she was found unresponsive on a kitchen floor. She was wearing a pull-up diaper and was severely malnourished, weighing just 43 pounds.
Moran was indicted by the same grand jury that also charged Shannon Robinson, 51, of Grafton. According to Taylor County Prosecuting Attorney John Bord, Robinson served as the primary custodian for Miana and her older sister.
The child’s death has prompted an internal state investigation by the Department of Human Services into Child Protective Services’ involvement prior to her death.
Taylor County Circuit Court Judge Shawn Nines presided over the arraignment related to the death of Moran’s 11-year-old daughter.
State Sen. Jay Taylor (R-Taylor) has called for sweeping CPS reform and said new legislation is being drafted during the current legislative session.
“We cannot accept a system where the agency investigates itself behind closed doors and elected lawmakers are left unable to confirm that children are truly being protected,” Taylor said during a floor speech last week.
Bord told Eyewitness News that CPS visited Robinson’s home four to five times before Miana’s death. He said the final visit occurred on Jan. 10 or 11, 2025, roughly a month before she died, though he could not identify who made the referral or the nature of the allegations.
The Department of Human Services has not responded to a request for comment.
Eyewitness News has submitted Freedom of Information requests seeking records related to CPS involvement before and after the girl’s death. Assistant general counsel Lauren Withers said the agency is reviewing whether any responsive records exist and are not exempt from disclosure.
“We anticipate having a final response to your request no later than February 26, 2026,” Withers said.
According to Robinson’s criminal complaint, deputies responding to her Nector Street home the day Miana died found Moran kneeling near the girl’s upper body. Robinson told deputies that the child had experienced flu-like symptoms for about a week and had not received medical treatment.
Deputy Chris MacQueen said Miana appeared severely underweight and malnourished. She was pronounced dead at Grafton City Hospital just over an hour later.
After returning to the home, MacQueen interviewed Robinson’s 28-year-old son and a 19-year-old woman who also lived there. The woman said she found Miana in a bedroom and initially believed she was sleeping, but noted she felt cold, her eyes were partially open, and she was not breathing.
MacQueen said the man moved Miana to the kitchen floor before calling 911. He also told investigators that Miana had been sick “for a little while” but could not provide a timeline. Despite her age, she was kept in pull-ups due to ongoing diarrhea and had remained in that condition for an extended period, according to court documents.
The medical examiner later told MacQueen there was no record of the girl receiving medical care for several years.
An autopsy conducted three days later found Miana’s height of 47 inches and weight of 43 pounds were “grossly inconsistent” with her age. The medical examiner also noted head lice, a yellowish tint to her skin, extreme thinness with visible bones, and multiple bruises and lacerations on her extremities and torso.
The final autopsy report, completed in October, ruled that Miana died from bilateral, diffuse, acute bronchopneumonia, with failure to thrive listed as a contributing factor. The report stated she was “markedly underweight,” with height and weight well below the fifth percentile for her age and sex.
MacQueen said investigators determined that Robinson and Moran isolated Miana from outside contact, including family and friends.
“Interviews further revealed Miana had been visibly ill since early summer of 2024, with her condition progressively worsening to the point she was unable to walk without assistance and spent the majority of her time sleeping,” the complaint stated.
MacQueen also reported that food deprivation was used as punishment. Witnesses said that if Miana resisted Robinson, she would be denied food for long periods while others in the home ate full meals in front of her.
Investigators learned that Miana had not received medical treatment since 2020, after she began living full time with Robinson.
Bord previously said Moran worked at a local Walmart, where a co-worker suggested Robinson, his mother, could help care for the children. Over time, Robinson assumed full-time care of the girls while Moran visited daily. Bord said it remains unclear what prompted Robinson to take on that role.
Judge Nines also ordered Moran to have no contact with Robinson.