Starving boy found dead at home was beaten daily by adoptive parents, TX cops say

A Texas couple has been arrested after their adopted 10-year-old son was found dead at their home with evidence of abuse, authorities say.

Officers responding to a Sept. 24 call to 911 found the boy, Michael Miranda, unresponsive at the San Antonio home and, despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene, KENS reported.

No attorney information was available for the boy’s adoptive parents as of Thursday, Oct. 2.

Authorities said the boy “appeared to be somewhat emaciated” and “had abrasions on his face, legs and feet,” according to an affidavit obtained by the outlet.

But as the investigation continued, more signs of abuse and neglect were discovered, and Michael’s injuries showed he endured “continuous trauma (for) approximately a year,” police said in a news release.

Michael’s adoptive parents, 34-year-old Jonathan Miranda and 32-year-old Christina Miranda, were arrested Wednesday, Oct. 1, on charges of murder, police said.

According to investigators, Michael is biologically related to the Mirandas, KSAT reported. How he is related “is unclear.”

An examination revealed the boy had bone fractures in various stages of healing, suggesting the breaks occurred at different times, according to officials. He was small for his age and investigators say he showed signs of starvation, the station reported.

Through interviews with other children living at the home, investigators said they learned Michael had been kept confined in the laundry room for about a year, and was beaten or struck with paddles every day, KABB reported.

The arrested report said children also described seeing Michael picked up by his feet and thrown onto the ground, repeatedly, “until he stopped moving or whining,” according to the outlet.

Of all his many injuries, investigators believe a lacerated lower intestine caused Michael’s death, the outlet reported.