Prosecutors say the Paulsboro couple falsely reported that the child may have been struck by a vehicle before evidence contradicted their account.
PAULSBORO, NJ — A New Jersey mother and stepfather have been charged with murder in the death of a 9-year-old girl after prosecutors said investigators found evidence of a beating and determined that the couple’s account of a possible vehicle crash did not match the evidence.
India Miller, 27, and Sean D. Scott, 45, both of Paulsboro, are each charged with first-degree murder, first-degree accomplice to murder, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree making a fictitious report to police and fourth-degree hindering prosecution, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office. The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Authorities said Miller and Scott called 911 at about 1:10 a.m. Oct. 13 to report that the girl was not breathing. Scott told authorities the child had been walking the dog and may have been struck by a vehicle. Miller told investigators she heard a loud sound resembling screeching tires before Scott went outside and found the girl near a shed on the property, prosecutors said.
The girl was taken to a hospital, where medical workers found facial trauma, extensive bruising and other injuries that authorities said were not consistent with a vehicle crash. Investigators later reviewed surveillance video from public buildings in the area and found no vehicle traffic during the period in which the couple said the suspected crash occurred.
Investigators also reported finding wet children’s clothing with suspected blood in an upstairs bathroom tub. Suspected blood was found on tile around the tub, on a cleaning device and on other cleaning supplies, according to prosecutors. Authorities have not publicly released the results of any forensic testing on those items.
During an interview with investigators, the girl’s 4-year-old sibling said Scott had struck the 9-year-old in the face and eyes, prosecutors said. The child’s statement is among the evidence cited by authorities in court records describing the allegations against Miller and Scott.
The 9-year-old was pronounced dead at 6:42 p.m. Oct. 13. An autopsy by the Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland counties medical examiner found multiple blunt-force injuries, including injuries in different stages of healing. Prosecutors said the findings indicated possible prolonged abuse. The medical examiner determined that the girl died from multiple blunt-force injuries and ruled the death a homicide.
Authorities have not publicly identified the girl in the information released about the case. The Paulsboro school superintendent told 6abc that she was not a student in the district, while saying support would be available to people affected by the death.
Miller and Scott appeared virtually before a Gloucester County judge Thursday and were advised of the charges against them. Both remained held at the Salem County Jail as of the latest reports. They are expected to return to court for detention hearings as the criminal cases proceed.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office said its Major Crimes, Special Victims, High-Tech Crimes and Crime Scene Investigation units worked on the case with Paulsboro police and the regional medical examiner’s office. Prosecutors have not announced any additional arrests, and the allegations against Miller and Scott have not been adjudicated.
Author note: Last updated October 16, 2026.