Amish Woman Charged in Son's Drowning, Citing Religious Beliefs

A 40-year-old Amish woman, Ruth R. Miller, has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the death of her 4-year-old son. Authorities allege that Miller threw her son, Vincen, into Atwood Lake in Ohio, believing she was acting at the direction of God.

According to investigators, Miller repeatedly stated she threw the boy into the water to give him to God. Her husband, Marcus J. Miller, had previously drowned while attempting to swim to a sandbank, also reportedly as a test of faith. The couple's other children, a 15-year-old girl and twin 18-year-old boys, were also instructed to perform water-based trials but survived.

Court records indicate that Ruth Miller was also charged with domestic violence and child endangerment related to the older children. She was receiving treatment at a secure mental health facility and had not been arrested as of late Wednesday afternoon.

First responders reported concerning statements from Ruth Miller when they began to treat her. She allegedly spoke about placing her son in the water "to give him to God." She also attempted to flee from deputies and hide.

The family's church released a statement attributing the deaths to mental illness, stating that the ministry and extended family had been supporting the Millers through their challenges and that they had previously sought professional help.

Sheriff Orvis Campbell reported that Ruth Miller told investigators she believed she could walk on water. She and her husband had gone to the dock and jumped into the water, believing God was instructing them to do so.

Authorities were called to the scene on Saturday morning after a report of a golf cart entering the lake. Ruth Miller had driven the cart at high speed into a stone wall with the three older children on board. The cart became submerged, and the children were able to get out of the water.

When a rescuer attempted to help Ruth Miller, she reportedly told them to "just pray for her." Park rangers heard statements from her indicating she had given her son to the Lord. Searchers later found Vincen's body near the dock, and Marcus Miller's body was also recovered from the lake.

The surviving children were described as being "extremely confused" and upset. They had been raised to follow their parents' instructions without question.

The family, who lived in Holmes County, Ohio, which has a large Amish community, had traveled to Atwood Lake in a recreational vehicle for a getaway, arriving on Ruth Miller's birthday.