LANSING, Mich. — A Lansing couple will be arraigned on murder and abuse charges Tuesday morning in connection to the death of their 30-year-old son who had Down syndrome.
Maria Miller, 59, and John Miller Jr., 58, are facing charges second-degree murder charge and second-degree abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Lansing police arrived at the couple’s north Lansing home on the night of Jan. 17th, 2020, after receiving a 911 call from John Miller Jr., police said. Officers noticed the couple’s son, John Miller III, lying on a mattress. His body was small, and he had sores on his elbows and legs, as if he hadn’t been moved in a while . He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A medical examiner said John Miller III had suffered multi-system organ failure, that he had feces all over his body, open sores and other forms of physical neglect.
The couple told police they noticed their son was getting thinner and they tried to treat his sores, according to a court document, which also showed that John Miller III had not been seen by a physician since 2011. Neighbors say John Miller Jr. and his son were really close.
FOX 47 reached out to the Millers' attorneys for a statement. John Miller’s attorney did not want to provide a state. Maria Miller’s attorney did not respond.
