Homeschooling’s 

Invisible Children

2 children of Emily Miller

Content note: Case narratives include descriptions of severe violence inflicted on children, including abuse and neglect, sexual violence, torture, and murder, as well as mentions of suicide and domestic violence. They also include photos of victims and perpetrators of violence.

Two boys, ages 10 and 9, were removed from the custody of their adoptive mother, Emily Miller, after the younger boy—who had cerebral palsy—was found tied to a urine-filled bucket in the basement. Clad only in a t-shirt and tied by a dog leash, he had been there for at least a day. The older boy, who had learning disabilities, was apparently unharmed. Both were homeschooled and had been pulled from school.

Miller, a longtime foster and adoptive mother of special-needs children, had previously had two of her children die: in January 1993, her 4-month-old adopted daughter Ieisha Dyson had died of a severe birth defect, and in April 1995 Miller’s 2-year-old adopted son DuJuan Miller had died of supposed SIDS. Earlier in 1999, a baby Miller was fostering was found to have injuries consistent with abuse.

Due to lack of evidence of abuse, Miller was not charged.

Date: November 1, 1999
Location:
Detroit, Michigan

Documents: Date:
Boy found in basement tied to bucket 1999-11-02
Tethered boys’s mom is released 1999-11-03
2 kids died in care of foster mom 1999-11-04
Mom’s son, 2, died of SIDS in 1995 1999-11-05
TROUBLING INCIDENTS IN HOME-SCHOOL SETTINGS 11-17-2004