A 9-year-old girl in Paulsboro, New Jersey, died from multiple blunt-force injuries after her mother and stepfather allegedly beat her and tried to make her death appear to be a hit-and-run, authorities say.
India Miller, 27, and Sean Scott, 45, have been charged with murder, child endangerment and filing a false report to police. Both are being held at the Salem County Jail as the investigation continues.
The case began shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, when Scott called 911 and reported that the child had allegedly been struck by a vehicle and was no longer breathing.
Emergency responders were told that the girl might be in cardiac arrest and that CPR was underway. The call prompted officers and medical personnel to respond to the scene in the small South Jersey community near Philadelphia.
According to investigators, Miller claimed she had heard a noise resembling tires screeching while her daughter was outside walking the family dog. She allegedly said Scott then went outside and found the child near a shed.
However, what initially appeared to be a possible traffic accident took a different turn after the girl was taken to the hospital.
Doctors Find Injuries Inconsistent With a Vehicle Collision
Medical personnel examining the child found injuries that raised serious concerns about the explanation provided by the adults.
Authorities said the girl had significant facial trauma, bruises across her body and multiple broken ribs that appeared to have occurred at different times during the healing process.
An autopsy revealed further injuries, including an eye swollen shut, a ruptured colon and abrasions to her inner thigh and intimate areas.
Doctors determined that the injuries were not consistent with the reported vehicle strike. The girl died at 6:42 p.m. that same day, and the medical examiner identified multiple blunt-force injuries as the cause of death.
The discovery of older fractures alongside other injuries also raised questions about whether the child had experienced repeated physical harm before the fatal incident.
Investigators subsequently began examining the family’s account of what happened, the conditions inside the home and other evidence that could help establish how the girl sustained her injuries.
Investigators Find Possible Blood Evidence Inside the Home
As the investigation expanded, officers searched the family’s residence for evidence.
Authorities reported finding what appeared to be blood-covered children’s clothing in a bathtub, along with possible blood traces on bathroom tiles and cleaning equipment, including a Swiffer WetJet.
Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from the surrounding area. According to police, the footage showed no vehicle traffic on the street at the time the child was allegedly struck.
That finding further challenged the claim that a passing driver had caused the girl’s injuries.
Police also interviewed a 4-year-old sibling of the victim. During the interview, the younger child allegedly told investigators that Scott had struck the girl in the eyes and face on the night in question.
Authorities have not publicly established every detail of the events leading to the child’s death. The evidence gathered so far, however, has led investigators to accuse Miller and Scott of involvement in the fatal abuse and of providing a misleading account of what happened.
The Investigation Raises Broader Concerns About Child Abuse
Cases involving severe injuries to children can be especially difficult to investigate because young victims may be unable to explain what happened or seek help independently.
Medical examinations, forensic evidence, witness interviews and the accounts provided by caregivers can all play important roles in determining whether injuries resulted from an accident or intentional harm.
In this case, investigators say the medical findings, the evidence recovered from the residence, surveillance footage and the younger sibling’s account contributed to their suspicions about the alleged hit-and-run explanation.
The presence of injuries at different stages of healing is another significant detail. Such findings can prompt investigators to examine whether a child may have suffered abuse over an extended period, although the full circumstances must be established through the investigation and legal proceedings.
The charges against Miller and Scott remain allegations, and both defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.
Mother and Stepfather Remain in Custody
Miller and Scott are currently being held at the Salem County Jail while the case moves forward.
They face charges including murder, child endangerment and making a false report to police. Further court proceedings are expected to address the allegations and evidence collected by investigators.
For the community, the case has left troubling questions about what the child endured before her death and whether the circumstances could have been recognized sooner.
For investigators, the immediate task is to establish a complete timeline, determine the circumstances surrounding the girl’s injuries and present the evidence through the legal process.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events that led to the death of the 9-year-old girl.
