NJ Couple Accused of Murdering Daughter Now Under Investigation for Abuse
Authorities are probing allegations of physical and sexual abuse against the parents of a 9-year-old girl found dead in their home.
A New Jersey couple accused of murdering their 9-year-old daughter is now reportedly under investigation for allegations of severe abuse, including claims that the child was homeschooled to conceal her injuries. India L. Miller, 27, and Sean D. Scott, 45, have been charged with murder in the death of Maya Thomas.
Authorities were alerted on Tuesday when the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office contacted the New Jersey Child Abuse Hotline. The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency confirmed it is investigating both physical and sexual abuse allegations related to the case.
Police responded to a 911 call early on the morning of the incident, where the couple claimed their daughter had been struck by a car while walking the family dog. Responding officers found Maya unresponsive inside the home with visible facial trauma and bruising. Miller told investigators that she heard a screeching sound and then found her daughter by the shed.
However, investigators determined that Maya’s injuries were inconsistent with being hit by a vehicle. The 9-year-old was transported to Cooper Hospital, where she was pronounced dead later that evening.
An autopsy revealed multiple injuries, including abrasions to her inner thigh, a ruptured colon, broken ribs, and swollen eyes. Some of these injuries showed signs of healing, indicating a pattern of abuse over an extended period.
Further investigation uncovered that Maya's 4-year-old sibling, who has a different father, told authorities that Scott had hit Maya and that she had been struck by a Paulsboro police car. Bloodstains were also reportedly found in the upstairs bathroom near discarded children's clothing, as well as on cleaning supplies.
Miller and Scott face a series of charges including murder, child endangerment, child abuse and neglect, filing a false police report, and hindering apprehension. They are currently being held at the Salem County jail.
Maya's maternal grandmother, Lynn Miller, stated that the child was homeschooled to prevent anyone from seeing her bruises. She raised Maya from 18 months old until age 7 in Las Vegas before the child moved to New Jersey with her mother to live with Scott. The grandmother reported that her daughter had cut off contact approximately two years ago, limiting her ability to speak with Maya.