On May 12,1999, Judge Dale Skelley ruled that Clara and Stephen be separated from Raymond, Catherine and Malinda, and be placed in an English foster home in Richville, New York. Raymond, Catherine, and Malinda would remain at the original foster parents in Norfolk, New York for 12 months longer. I feel so strongly about what happened to the Miller children concerning the Civil Rights violations, that I have spent thousands of dollars to make this material free to the public.
The last week of August Michelle and her two remaining siblings living in Potsdam each went their separate ways. Rachel had been released from the psychiatric ward from Hepburn Hospital in Ogdensburg New York and was now living by herself. The only connection the three youngest Miller children have to the rest of the family is through visitation they share with Stephen and Clara when they see their parents.
September 17, 1999, we received a letter from Guernsey County, Ohio Social Services which said they want to do an updated home study at our residence for Stephen and Clara. St. Lawrence County Social Services intentions were to cut all family ties between the three youngest Miller children and those of us who aren’t Amish. Social Services and Mr. Hyde have both attempted to persuade Stephen and Clara to discontinue their visitation to their parents. But Stephen and Clara have refused, because this is the only way they get to see their younger brother and sisters.
If we agree to the home study than we will have helped St. Lawrence County Social Services place the three youngest children back in a dangerous environment. For that reason we had to regrettably refuse and demand that all five children be sent to Ohio.
On September 23,1999, Ervin received a letter from Holmes County, Ohio Social Services stating they want to do a home study on the Miller children that remain in the custody of St. Lawrence County, New York Social Services. They were willing to work with his schedule in anyway possible.
In a phone conservation on 9-23-99 with Ervin he told me that in the past when they contacted him about doing a home study, they specified the names of the children they want to do a home study for. Ervin said, "I think they are trying to trick us." I said, "Ervin, I agree. If the home study would include the three youngest siblings they would have been named on the document." "David, if it does not include Raymond, Catherine, and Malinda I will not allow them to do a home study," Ervin said. I said, "Ervin, I agree and I won't allow them to do a home study at our residence either if it doesn't include Raymond, Catherine, and Malinda." Ervin said, "Since Social Services is desperately trying to place Stephen and Clara immediately in the state of Ohio, at this time, I find their motives questionable." " I said, "Ervin I agree, and I expect if Stephen and Clara can't be placed in Ohio immediately they will be sent to separate foster homes in attempt to try so emotionally upset them that they will be willing to give up their contact with their three youngest siblings." Ervin said, "Yes, I know, I think that is sad and also so sick. The Legal system has refused to prosecute my father on assault charges and numerous sexual allegations. My brothers and sisters could have been out of this mess and living a normal life in the state of Ohio if it wasn't for Social Services and Mr. Hyde." I said, "Yes, Ervin, you are right. We have been cleared by Social Services from the state of Ohio to take seven of your younger brothers and sisters. We both agreed if the home study didn't include Raymond, Catherine, and Malinda we would not allow it to take place."
Ervin said, "Today is my oldest sister's wedding, she is finally getting married. She has been living in the State of Ohio since the church split, and has had nothing to do with our parents, but her wedding is being held at our parents' residence in St. Lawrence County, New York. Those of us children who are no longer Amish are invited, but we are not allowed to come and watch our sister get married. Our invitation stated that no vehicles are allowed on or near their property on the day of the wedding and that we are not allowed to show up at our parents place until after the main meal has been served." Ervin still explaining said, "My younger brothers and sisters invitation stated that they must wear the Amish clothes. But the invitation that we received did not state that we had to wear Amish clothes."
I said, "I know that at many weddings in the past the Amish have invited English neighbors to come to the wedding as they were. Ervin, at least you children are invited. The custom is that the brides uncles and aunts are all invited, but my family and I were not invited." Ervin said, "It wasn't right that they didn't invite you to my sisters wedding, that is why we did not attend."
February 22, 2000 the Miller case is scheduled to go back to court. This is
attempting to place the three youngest children back in custody of their
parents.
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