SHOCKING INCIDENT: Bodies found after Amish woman’s ‘concerning statements’: Sheriff

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FROM THE HILL: TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) — Investigators in Tuscarawas County are trying to piece together a disturbing case that involves an entire family. A father and his 4-year-old are dead. The wife and mother is in the hospital.

According to investigators, the family is Amish and was visiting Atwood Lake over the weekend from Holmes County. According to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff, at about 10:40 a.m. Saturday, the mother deliberately drove a golf cart off a dock at Atwood Lake with her three teenage children on board, including a 15-year-old daughter and twin 18-year-old sons.

The woman’s 15-year-old daughter and twin 18-year-old sons were able to get out of the water on their own. However, after talking with the mother and children, responding units became concerned for the safety of a 4-year-old son and the woman’s husband, who could not be located, a media release stated.

“After helping the woman out of the water, the woman made concerning statements about conversing with God,” stated the release.

Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell said “spiritual delusion” factored into the disturbing situation (see video below).

The two victims were identified as 45-year-old Marcus J. Miller and 4-year-old Vincen Miller.

Campbell said the investigation revealed that at around 1 a.m. on Saturday, Marcus and his wife left their camping spot, ventured out to the dock, and jumped in the water, believing God was speaking to them and that they were carrying out tasks to prove their faith.

Upon returning to the campgrounds, Marcus reportedly told his wife he was going back to the lake. A witness saw him at the dock at 6:30 a.m.

At around 8:30 a.m., the mother loaded her Vincen on a golf cart and was seen driving recklessly. She eventually drove out to the dock and drowned her son, she admitted to deputies. Campbell said the mother spoke about placing her son in the water, “to give him to God.”

She also attempted to run from deputies and hide in a bush.

The mother then apparently gathered the teens at around 10:30 a.m. and drove them into the lake.

The teens escaped. Marcus and Vincen were both located in the water, deceased.

The mother has been placed in the hospital for mental health concerns.

The Miller family’s relatives and church have released the following statement.

“The church and family want to thank the law enforcement and rescue personnel for all that was done during this tragic weekend.

The family involved are members of the Old Order Amish Church. As a church of Christian faith, we believe that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ [Ephesians 2:8-9), and the events of this past weekend do not reflect our teachings or beliefs but are instead a result of a mental illness.

The ministry and extended family had been walking with them through their challenges, and they had also received professional help in the past.

At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family directly affected. We stand beside them in their grief and ask that their privacy, as well as that of the broader community, be respected during this difficult time. We kindly ask that the public and media honor this by allowing space for healing.

The extended family encourages anyone facing mental health challenges to seek professional help, as the recent events do not reflect the loving and caring family they were always known to be.”

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