Stories about the Amish as victims – or perpetrators – of crime.
Last April, we learned of the theft of five Labradoodle puppies from an Amish farm in Lancaster County. Someone had slipped into the barn under cover of night, taken the pups — and also made off with the owner’s “black box” phone and a piece of paper. At the time, police were investigating, and a suspect hadn’t been named. And that was the last we…
Sam Shetler of Mercy and Truth retreat made his first court appearance Tuesday. The Amish man who led the Cooper County, Missouri retreat center was arrested March 25th, and faces charges of trafficking and sodomy. Shetler appeared by video feed, with a number of attendees including Amish people in the courtroom. In this appearance, we learn that Shetler does not yet have a lawyer. He…
A very disturbing story out of Missouri. An Amish man named Sam Shetler, leader of a Plain community “retreat”, has been arrested following a multi-year investigation. Accounts describe appalling behaviors — including extreme control over the young people entrusted to his care, to the level of physical and even sexual abuse. Shetler is now in custody and faces several felony charges. From the report at…
News came out a little over a week ago that Ruth Miller would be committed to a psychiatric hospital following a not guilty by insanity verdict in the death of her 4-year-old son Vincen. A follow-up report at Farm and Dairy draws attention to the expert testimony provided leading up to Judge Michael Ernest’s decision to send the Amish mother to a secure mental healthcare…
Lizzie Hershberger grew up Amish in Minnesota. She is the subject of a new documentary called Keep Quiet and Forgive, which premieres nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens on March 23. In today’s post, author Haley Straw shares how she met Lizzie, more on her story, and what she hopes to achieve. Lizzie Hershberger didn’t expect the moment to stand out. About seven years ago she…
Last November, 16-year-old Elmer Borntrager lost his life when he was hit by a car while driving a buggy in his Clarke County, Iowa community. Elmer was left behind on the road by the driver, who fled the scene. Authorities later located the man they believed was behind the wheel – 41-year-old Jacob Wright, who was charged with multiple offenses, including Involuntary Manslaughter. Wright pleaded…
This is not a breaking news story, and many of you have probably heard of it by now. A 22-year-old man named Ivan Miller, who grew up in an Amish family, is charged with murdering three women in a “killing spree” in Utah. The killings were done seemingly at random, allegedly so he could acquire basic resources like a car and money. Miller was arrested…
Ruth Miller appeared in court as scheduled today following last week’s not guilty by reason of insanity verdict in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen. Having reviewed the expert reports and testimony, Judge Michael Ernest decided Miller’s placement in a mental health facility near Miller’s home community. From WKYC: NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Ruth Miller, the Amish mother recently found not guilty by…
Judge Michael Ernest delivered his verdict this morning in Tuscarawas County, Ohio Common Pleas Court in the case of Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen. Judge Ernest found Miller not guilty by reason of insanity, following her waiving of a jury trial last week. From WKYC: NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Ruth Miller, the Amish mother accused…
I just finished watching the pre-trial hearing in the Ruth Miller case, intended to be the final hearing before her trial, which had been scheduled for March 4th. The big news from this is that Ruth has waived her right to a jury trial, instead opting for a bench trial. That means the judge in the case, Tuscarawas County Judge Michael Ernest, will review the…