Ruth Miller, a 40-year-old mother, has pled not guilty by reason of insanity in the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas on charges related to the death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen, according to FOX19. She is accused of drowning him during what has been described as a "spiritual delusion." The tragic events purportedly occurred at Atwood Lake on the weekend of August 23.
Details regarding the indictment reveal, Miller faces one count of aggravated murder, one count of murder, and one count of felonious assault, all involving her son. Additional charges include one count of child endangering for her 15-year-old daughter and three counts of domestic violence involving her daughter and twin 18-year-old sons, WKYC reports. In light of these charges, prosecutors have requested that Miller be held without bond., Miller currently remains in custody at the Tuscarawas County Jail. A bond hearing has been scheduled for September 25.
In a statement obtained by News 5 Cleveland, the Tuscarawas County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Styer said that if convicted, "Miller could face a minimum of a life sentence with parole eligibility after 20 years and a maximum sentence of life without parole." The counts of domestic violence, which are misdemeanors, carry a potential sentence of up to 180 days' incarceration each.
Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell detailed that Miller drove into the lake with all her children present before the incident, leading to her arrest on August 23. Since then, the court has enacted a no-contact order between Miller and the victims. Her arraignment saw prosecutors reinforce the request for Miller to be denied bail, emphasizing the severity of the allegations against her.
