Child-chaining parents to be freed from jail

Published 11:17 am Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Dexter parents who chained their now 6-year-old son to his crib will be released from Mower County jail this weekend, according to Sheriff Terese Amazi.

Charity Miller

Brian Miller, 34, and Charity Miller, 27, were sentenced in July to one year in jail on one count each of gross misdemeanor false imprisonment and one count each of malicious punishment. The Millers received credit for time served and participated in the sentence to service program, which reduced their required time in jail.

Although the couple can now return home, they still do not have custody of their two children, ages 6 and 8. The boys are in foster care under the protection of Mower County Human Services.

Brian Miller

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The Millers are facing a second attempt from MCHS to terminate their parental rights. District Judge Fred Wellmann ruled in June the Millers had caused egregious harm to their children but could retain their parental rights if they completed a case plan to reunify their family pursuant to the Indian Child Welfare Act, as Charity and one of the two sons are members of the Cherokee Tribe.

MCHS claims the parents have not done enough to reunify their family and should have their rights permanently terminated.

The second termination trial is scheduled to begin in early February.