A Waco jury has sentenced 46-year-old Marianna Miles to 70 years in prison after finding that she abused and unlawfully restrained a teenage girl in her care. The girl, now 16, told jurors she was beaten, deprived of food, and forced to spend long stretches alone in a nearly empty bedroom, sometimes bound with duct tape and heavy chains. Staff at Connally Junior High raised the alarm after spotting her digging through cafeteria trash cans for something to eat, triggering a Child Protective Services investigation. The punishment bundles several concurrent prison terms and leaves Miles facing at least 15 years behind bars before parole can even be considered.
Jury and sentence
Jurors convicted Miles of causing serious mental injury to a child, causing bodily injury to a child, and unlawful restraint, and set a 70-year sentence on the first-degree felony count, according to KWTX. Prosecutors argued that the girl's isolation, repeated beatings, and chronic hunger added up to prolonged cruelty, and the panel rejected the defense push for probation or a much shorter stint in prison. The trial judge adopted the jury's recommendations on fines and ruled that the lesser counts would run at the same time as the lengthy first-degree sentence.
How the abuse came to light
The case took shape after Miles enrolled the teenager at Connally Junior High and asked school administrators to keep an unusually close eye on her, a request that raised eyebrows and ultimately led to a public statement from the McLennan County District Attorney's Office, as reported by KABB/Fox San Antonio. In October 2022, a teacher noticed an injury and the girl later said she had been hit with a belt, prompting CPS and local police to open a criminal probe. Investigators documented alarms mounted on the bedroom door, the lack of a proper mattress, photos of chains and claims that Miles used duct tape and heavy chains to restrain the teen and sometimes told the girl's brothers to beat her.
Testimony in court
On the witness stand, Miles said she was overwhelmed caring for five children, some with developmental challenges, but jurors also heard the teenager describe repeated abuse and several suicide attempts, KWTX reports. Mental health experts told the court the girl now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder tied to the mistreatment, and the victim read a two-page impact statement at the sentencing hearing. Prosecutors played video and showed photos collected during the investigation, while defense attorneys asked jurors for mercy, pointing to Miles's health issues and caretaking responsibilities.
Penalties and what comes next
Under Texas law, a first-degree felony can carry 5 to 99 years or life in prison, plus possible fines, according to the Texas Penal Code. The 70-year term falls squarely within that range, and prosecutors noted that Miles will generally not be eligible for parole until she has served at least 15 years. The McLennan County District Attorney's Office and trial prosecutors praised Connally school staff, the Lacy-Lakeview Police Department, and Child Protective Services for exposing the abuse and helping bring the case to trial, as detailed by KABB/Fox San Antonio.
Child-welfare advocates say the outcome highlights how educators are often the first line of defense for kids living in dangerous homes, and local officials note that the case will now move into the post-conviction phase while the teenager continues treatment. Miles remains in custody, with the McLennan County courts handling any future challenges to the verdict and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice responsible for her placement if the sentence is upheld on appeal. For families and school staff in the area, prosecutors and CPS officials said, the case is a stark reminder that a single report from a classroom or cafeteria can launch an investigation that changes, and sometimes saves, a child's life.
