Topline: Ruth Miller is charged with aggravated murder and domestic violence and denied bail following a lakeside incident.
Published: October 7, 2025 12:00 pm ET
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Ruth Miller speaking to investigators; Ruth Miller mugshot (via Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office)
NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH — A Tuscarawas County judge denied bail for an Amish woman accused of killing her 4-year-old son and husband at Atwood Lake, citing her danger to others and the community.
Ruth Miller, 40, of Millersburg, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to a seven-count indictment stemming from the deaths of her son, Vincen, and husband, Marcus Miller. She is charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, child endangering and three counts of domestic violence, as reported by WKYC.
Judge Michael Ernest issued the ruling following a four-hour evidentiary hearing on September 29. He said prosecutors presented “clear and convincing evidence” that Miller poses “a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any other person or community.” He added that “no release conditions” would reasonably assure public safety.
The charges stem from a series of events that began around 1:15 a.m. on August 23, when Miller and her husband went to the dock at Atwood Lake. According to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell, Miller told investigators that she and her husband jumped into the lake to “prove their worthiness to God.” She said they were following divine instructions to demonstrate complete faith as reported by the Times Reporter.
After returning to their recreational vehicle, Marcus Miller reportedly expressed disappointment in his performance. His wife directed him to “prove his faith” and return to the lake to swim to a sandbar. A witness later saw him at the dock around 6:30 a.m. wearing the clothes he had left behind earlier. He drowned during the attempt.
Later that morning, Miller allegedly threw her son into the lake. When questioned by deputies, she said, “I gave him to God,” according to police body camera footage. She also told officers, “People are going to tell me I’m crazy, but this is real and he loves you,” referring to God. “I doubted him so many times, but I have to tell you he is coming. The end is close. Prepare your heart”.
Dive teams recovered the bodies of Marcus and Vincen Miller from the bottom of the lake.
In addition to the murder-related charges, Miller faces child endangering and domestic violence counts involving her three surviving children: twin 18-year-old sons and a 15-year-old daughter. Authorities say Miller drove a golf cart into the lake with the children inside. All three survived.
The Millers’ family and their bishop held an intervention two days before the drownings because the couple’s behavior had become increasingly erratic. Captain Adam Fisher of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this to the Canton Rep.
Fisher interviewed Miller twice on August 23 at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. He described her behavior as disjointed and erratic, noting that she was loudly singing hymns and covering her face with a bedsheet during their conversation.
Judge Ernest denied a prosecution request for a no-contact order, stating that he lacked the authority to enforce it. “If she were to make phone calls from the jail, I feel as if there’s nothing more I can do to her,” he said during the hearing.
Miller has no prior criminal record. Her attorney, Ian Friedman, argued that she lacked criminal intent due to her mental state and requested a six-figure bond with house arrest and inpatient treatment. The judge rejected the request.
A telephone pretrial conference is scheduled for October 6. The court has ordered that the matter proceed to trial at the earliest possible date.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Ruth Miller is charged with aggravated murder and domestic violence and denied bail following a lakeside incident.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 7, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Ruth Miller speaking to investigators; Ruth Miller mugshot (via Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office)
NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH — A Tuscarawas County judge denied bail for an Amish woman accused of killing her 4-year-old son and husband at Atwood Lake, citing her danger to others and the community.
Ruth Miller, 40, of Millersburg, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to a seven-count indictment stemming from the deaths of her son, Vincen, and husband, Marcus Miller. She is charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, child endangering and three counts of domestic violence, as reported by WKYC.
Judge Michael Ernest issued the ruling following a four-hour evidentiary hearing on September 29. He said prosecutors presented “clear and convincing evidence” that Miller poses “a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any other person or community.” He added that “no release conditions” would reasonably assure public safety.
The charges stem from a series of events that began around 1:15 a.m. on August 23, when Miller and her husband went to the dock at Atwood Lake. According to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell, Miller told investigators that she and her husband jumped into the lake to “prove their worthiness to God.” She said they were following divine instructions to demonstrate complete faith as reported by the Times Reporter.
After returning to their recreational vehicle, Marcus Miller reportedly expressed disappointment in his performance. His wife directed him to “prove his faith” and return to the lake to swim to a sandbar. A witness later saw him at the dock around 6:30 a.m. wearing the clothes he had left behind earlier. He drowned during the attempt.
Later that morning, Miller allegedly threw her son into the lake. When questioned by deputies, she said, “I gave him to God,” according to police body camera footage. She also told officers, “People are going to tell me I’m crazy, but this is real and he loves you,” referring to God. “I doubted him so many times, but I have to tell you he is coming. The end is close. Prepare your heart”.
Dive teams recovered the bodies of Marcus and Vincen Miller from the bottom of the lake.
In addition to the murder-related charges, Miller faces child endangering and domestic violence counts involving her three surviving children: twin 18-year-old sons and a 15-year-old daughter. Authorities say Miller drove a golf cart into the lake with the children inside. All three survived.
The Millers’ family and their bishop held an intervention two days before the drownings because the couple’s behavior had become increasingly erratic. Captain Adam Fisher of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this to the Canton Rep.
Fisher interviewed Miller twice on August 23 at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. He described her behavior as disjointed and erratic, noting that she was loudly singing hymns and covering her face with a bedsheet during their conversation.
Judge Ernest denied a prosecution request for a no-contact order, stating that he lacked the authority to enforce it. “If she were to make phone calls from the jail, I feel as if there’s nothing more I can do to her,” he said during the hearing.
Miller has no prior criminal record. Her attorney, Ian Friedman, argued that she lacked criminal intent due to her mental state and requested a six-figure bond with house arrest and inpatient treatment. The judge rejected the request.
A telephone pretrial conference is scheduled for October 6. The court has ordered that the matter proceed to trial at the earliest possible date.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Amish Mom Accused in Drownings Pleads Insanity, Judge Orders Continued Detention
Ruth Miller is charged with aggravated murder and domestic violence and denied bail following a lakeside incident.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 7, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Ruth Miller speaking to investigators; Ruth Miller mugshot (via Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office)
NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH — A Tuscarawas County judge denied bail for an Amish woman accused of killing her 4-year-old son and husband at Atwood Lake, citing her danger to others and the community.
Ruth Miller, 40, of Millersburg, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to a seven-count indictment stemming from the deaths of her son, Vincen, and husband, Marcus Miller. She is charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, child endangering and three counts of domestic violence, as reported by WKYC.
Judge Michael Ernest issued the ruling following a four-hour evidentiary hearing on September 29. He said prosecutors presented “clear and convincing evidence” that Miller poses “a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any other person or community.” He added that “no release conditions” would reasonably assure public safety.
The charges stem from a series of events that began around 1:15 a.m. on August 23, when Miller and her husband went to the dock at Atwood Lake. According to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell, Miller told investigators that she and her husband jumped into the lake to “prove their worthiness to God.” She said they were following divine instructions to demonstrate complete faith as reported by the Times Reporter.
After returning to their recreational vehicle, Marcus Miller reportedly expressed disappointment in his performance. His wife directed him to “prove his faith” and return to the lake to swim to a sandbar. A witness later saw him at the dock around 6:30 a.m. wearing the clothes he had left behind earlier. He drowned during the attempt.
Later that morning, Miller allegedly threw her son into the lake. When questioned by deputies, she said, “I gave him to God,” according to police body camera footage. She also told officers, “People are going to tell me I’m crazy, but this is real and he loves you,” referring to God. “I doubted him so many times, but I have to tell you he is coming. The end is close. Prepare your heart”.
Dive teams recovered the bodies of Marcus and Vincen Miller from the bottom of the lake.
In addition to the murder-related charges, Miller faces child endangering and domestic violence counts involving her three surviving children: twin 18-year-old sons and a 15-year-old daughter. Authorities say Miller drove a golf cart into the lake with the children inside. All three survived.
The Millers’ family and their bishop held an intervention two days before the drownings because the couple’s behavior had become increasingly erratic. Captain Adam Fisher of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this to the Canton Rep.
Fisher interviewed Miller twice on August 23 at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. He described her behavior as disjointed and erratic, noting that she was loudly singing hymns and covering her face with a bedsheet during their conversation.
Judge Ernest denied a prosecution request for a no-contact order, stating that he lacked the authority to enforce it. “If she were to make phone calls from the jail, I feel as if there’s nothing more I can do to her,” he said during the hearing.
Miller has no prior criminal record. Her attorney, Ian Friedman, argued that she lacked criminal intent due to her mental state and requested a six-figure bond with house arrest and inpatient treatment. The judge rejected the request.
A telephone pretrial conference is scheduled for October 6. The court has ordered that the matter proceed to trial at the earliest possible date.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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