Woodbury, NJ – A Paulsboro mother and stepfather are charged with murder and endangering the welfare of a child in the death of a 9-year-old girl, Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns announced.
According to documents filed in this case:
India Miller, 27, and Sean D. Scott, 45, both of Paulsboro, called 911 at approximately 1:10 a.m. on Oct. 13, 2026, reporting a minor victim was not breathing. Scott reported the child was walking the dog and was possibly struck by a vehicle, while Miller told investigators she heard a loud sound, similar to tires screeching, before Scott went outside and found the victim by their shed.
The victim was transported to a local hospital where medical staff observed facial trauma, bruising over the entire body, and additional injuries not consistent with a vehicle crash. A review of surveillance video from public buildings around the area found no vehicle traffic in the area during the timeframe reported.
The victim’s 4-year-old sibling told police during an interview that their dad hit the victim in the eyes and the face.
Wet children’s clothing with suspected blood was observed in the upstairs bathroom tub, and suspected blood was observed on the tile surrounding the tub, on a Swiffer Wet Jet, and on other cleaning supplies.
The County of Gloucester complies with all state and federal rules and regulations against discrimination in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, and activities. In addition, County encourages participation of people with disabilities in its programs and activities and offers special services to all residents 60 years of age and older. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the County’s ADA Coordinator at (856) 384-6842/ New Jersey Relay Service 711.
The child was pronounced deceased at 6:42 p.m. that evening. An autopsy performed by the Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland medical examiner found numerous injuries, some of which were in the healing phase, suggesting prolonged abuse. Both eyes displayed blunt force trauma, including the left eye being swollen shut, abrasions were observed in the inner thigh and intimate parts, a ruptured colon, indicative of blunt force trauma, was observed, and multiple ribs were broken, some of which were in various stages of healing.
The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries and the manner of death to be homicide.
Both India and Scott are charged with first-degree murder, first-degree accomplice to a 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. Both defendants are being held at Salem County Jail.
The maximum term of incarceration is life in prison.
The State is represented by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Alec Gutierrez and Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Tornese.
Prosecutor Johns thanked the GCPO Major Crimes, Special Victims, High-Tech Crimes, and Crime Scene Investigation Units, the Paulsboro Police Department, and the Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland Medical Examiner, for their assistance in the investigation.
The charges contained in the complaint/indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.