The Amish mother accused of drowning her 4-year-old son in an Ohio lake and then driving a golf cart with her three older children into the same water is now in custody after being released from a hospital where she was receiving mental health treatment.
Ruth Miller, 40, has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of domestic violence, and one count of child endangerment following the incident at Atwood Lake on August 23.
Investigators say Miller admitted to drowning her 4-year-old son, Vincen Miller, and trying to drown her three older children — a 15-year-old daughter and 18-year-old twin sons — after claiming she had spoken with God.
Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell said during a news conference that Miller told deputies she believed God instructed her “to allow herself to be swallowed by a fish to prove her worthiness.” He added that Miller, who was at the lake on her birthday, appeared to be suffering from “spiritual delusion.”
Miller is scheduled for a court appearance on Friday, September 5. However, a source close to the case told PEOPLE that the hearing may be delayed because a grand jury is expected to return a formal indictment on September 4.
Miller’s attorney, Ian N. Friedman, told PEOPLE, “It is immediately apparent that Ruth, at the time of the tragic incident, suffered from a severe mental ailment that unequivocally prevented her from appreciating the wrongfulness of her conduct. I expect that this case will center around whether Ruth should be found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. We are confident that she will be.”
According to authorities, Miller told deputies that she and her husband Marcus, 45, went to the lake just after midnight to complete tasks she believed were given by God. Afterward, they returned to their campsite, but Marcus reportedly expressed regret and went back to the lake alone. Sheriff Campbell said Marcus attempted to swim to a sandbar but drowned.
Later that morning, around 6:30 a.m., Miller brought her 4-year-old son to the lake and left him in the water, telling deputies she was “giving him to God.” She then returned to the campsite and brought her daughter and twin sons back to the lake, ordering them to perform religious “tasks” to prove their worthiness.
Families vacationing nearby noticed Miller and her children crying together before she suddenly drove the golf cart into a stone wall and then into the lake. Her three older children managed to escape by climbing onto the cart and swimming to safety. Witnesses said Miller refused help and insisted she remain in the water.
When deputies arrived, Miller tried to hide in nearby bushes but was caught. Authorities said she spoke about God, claimed she could walk on water, and then fell into the lake again.
Miller was hospitalized the same day, while her three surviving children were placed in the care of relatives. Sheriff Campbell said divers recovered the bodies of Marcus and Vincen after nearly 24 hours of searching the lake.
On September 1, Miller was released from the hospital and booked into the Tuscarawas County Jail.
