An Ohio woman accused of directing her husband and young son to drown themselves in a lake—allegedly as part of a “test of faith”—has been transferred from a mental health facility to jail and is set to appear in court on Friday for a bond and preliminary hearing.
Ruth Miller, 40, of Millersburg, is now formally charged with two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of domestic violence, and one count of child endangerment in the deaths of her husband, Marcus Miller, 45, and their 4-year-old son, Vincen Miller.
A Weekend Trip Turned Tragic
According to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell, what began as a peaceful weekend trip to Atwood Lake ended in tragedy, driven by what officials are calling a “spiritual delusion.”
Ruth, who is said to be a member of the Old Order Amish Church, allegedly told investigators that she was receiving messages from God, instructing her and her family to perform faith-based “tests” in the lake.
One of those tests reportedly involved Marcus Miller swimming to a nearby sandbar—something Ruth claimed he failed, leading her to believe he “didn’t have enough faith.” Police say she then ordered her 4-year-old son into the water as an “offering” to God, resulting in his drowning.
Sheriff: “She Believed It Was a Test from God”
Speaking at a press conference, Sheriff Campbell said Ruth claimed to be hearing voices she believed were from God, pushing her to commit the deadly acts.
“She believed she and her husband had to pass these tests to show their faith,” Campbell said. “And when they didn’t, she believed their son Vincen became the price to pay.”
The chilling timeline includes:
Ruth and Marcus allegedly jumping into the lake together for the first “test.”
Ruth commanding Marcus to complete swimming challenges, including reaching a sandbar.
Believing Marcus failed the test, she then returned later with Vincen, reportedly throwing him into the lake as an “offering.”
She later crashed a golf cart with her three other children inside after allegedly hearing a voice tell her to drive it into the lake.
Delusion, Prayer, and Danger
In a heartbreaking moment recounted by police, Ruth reportedly made her three surviving children — twin 18-year-old sons and a 15-year-old daughter — lie down on the dock with their hands in the water to “pray for their little brother and father because they were gone and had gone to heaven.”
She allegedly ignored offers of help after the crash and instead told bystanders to “just pray,” claiming she had already “given her son to the Lord.”
Mental Health Review and Jail Transfer
Ruth Miller was held at a secure mental health facility from August 23 to September 1 for a psychological evaluation. Following her release, she was booked into the Tuscarawas County Jail on Monday. A bond hearing was initially scheduled for Tuesday, but it was postponed to Friday at 9 a.m.
The court has ordered Ruth to have no contact with “protected persons,” though it remains unclear who that specifically includes. Officials say they are still awaiting the full arrest affidavit and charging documents.
The deaths of Marcus and Vincen Miller have devastated a family and shocked the local Ohio community. Authorities believe this was not a premeditated crime, but a tragic outcome of severe mental illness and delusional religious beliefs.
As Ruth Miller now faces the legal system, many are left grieving and searching for answers in the wake of this deeply unsettling case.
