Amish Mother Indicted in Tragic Atwood Lake Drownings

Ruth Miller, a 40-year-old Amish woman from Millersburg, Ohio, has been indicted by a Tuscarawas County Grand Jury following the tragic deaths of her husband and young son at Atwood Lake.

 

The indictment includes seven counts: one count each of aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault for her 4-year-old son, Vincen Miller; one count of child endangering for her 15-year-old daughter; and three counts of domestic violence concerning her daughter and twin 18-year-old sons.

 

According to Sheriff Orvis Campbell, the Millers had traveled from Holmes County to Atwood Lake for a weekend getaway. Early on August 23, Ruth and her husband, Marcus Miller, 45, reportedly believed they were receiving divine instructions and jumped into the lake to demonstrate their faith.

 

Later that morning, Marcus returned to the lake alone and drowned. Subsequently, Ruth allegedly placed Vincen on a golf cart, drove to the dock, and drowned him, claiming she was "giving him to God." She then drove the golf cart into the lake with her three teenage children aboard; they managed to escape unharmed.

 

Ruth Miller is currently held at the Tuscarawas County Jail and is scheduled for arraignment on September 8 before Judge Michael J. Ernest. If convicted, she faces a minimum of life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 20 years and a maximum of life without parole.

 

The Miller family, part of Ohio's substantial Amish community, had reportedly been grappling with mental health issues and had received support from both their church and professionals. The Amish community emphasizes nonviolence, though advocacy groups continue to call for better recognition and handling of abuse within the community.

 

Autopsies and further investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.