Ruth Miller, a 40-year-old Amish woman from Millersburg, Ohio, was found not guilty by reason of insanity on March 3, 2026, in the death of her 4-year-old son Vincen at Atwood Lake. The Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael J. Ernest ruled after a bench trial, citing evidence from police reports and three mental health evaluations showing she suffered severe delusions and could not appreciate the wrongfulness of her actions.
Incident Overview
On August 23, 2025, Miller allegedly drowned Vincen by throwing him into Atwood Lake “to give him to God,” then drove a golf cart with her three teenage children into the lake, attempting to kill them; the teens survived. Her husband, Marcus J. Miller, 45, drowned nearby while reportedly swimming to “prove his faith,” which she described as him being “swallowed by a fish.” Family reports noted doomsday fears and spiritual delusions driving her actions.
Charges and Ruling
She faced aggravated murder, felonious assault, child endangerment, and domestic violence but was acquitted on all due to insanity under Ohio Revised Code Section 2945.37. Multiple doctors confirmed her mental illness prevented understanding her conduct’s gravity.
Next Steps
Miller remains in Tuscarawas County Jail until her March 13, 2026, hearing at 10 a.m., where placement in a mental health facility will be decided, potentially up to the maximum sentence length if convicted. Prosecutors seek commitment; her lawyer highlighted her severe mental ailment.
