Timothy David Miller

Reports, updates, clarifications, and perspectives on the Timo Miller case.

Timo Miller Update

Here are some excerpts from the first page of an Associated Press piece I read a few minutes ago:

Now, what started as a custody battle over little Isabella Miller-Jenkins has turned into a global manhunt, with indications that Mennonite pastors and other faith-based supporters may have helped hide the two in Nicaragua and are now coming to the aid of one who the FBI says helped Miller.

Eager to keep the girl away from Jenkins and what they consider a dangerous and immoral lifestyle, they liken their roles to that of underground helpers aiding runaway slaves.

“God’s Holy Law never recognizes a gay marriage,” said Pablo Yoder, a Mennonite pastor in Nicaragua, in an email message to The Associated Press. “Thus, the Nicaraguan Brotherhood felt it right and good to help Lisa not only free herself from the so called civil marriage and lesbian lifestyle, but especially to protect her nine year old daughter from being abducted and handed over to an active lesbian and a whole-hearted activist.”

[…]

In 2009, two months before the judge ordered the custody change, [Lisa] Miller and the girl flew to Central America and took up residence for an unknown amount of time in Nicaragua before vanishing again.

So says the FBI, which revealed in April that it had arrested Nicaraguan missionary Timothy David “Timo” Miller and charged him with abetting an international kidnapping by helping arrange travel and lodging for the two. He is awaiting trial.

[…]

Timo Miller has pleaded not guilty and is free on $25,000 bail, awaiting trial.

[…]

Yoder, who works the remote village of Waslala, 161 miles from Managua, told The Associated Press she celebrated her daughter’s birthday in his house last year. He wouldn’t say more.

Read the two-page story here A fight over a girl, and God’s law.

At this point, I have no further comments to add to those I’ve already made here.

Timothy Miller Update

Yesterday I was informed:

As of Friday evening Joanna does not have to appear in court on Thursday May 5th, as she was originally told. She may have to in the future, we just don’t know. She claimed her rights as a spouse. But now they are talking about maybe seeing her in court with charges against her…

Now within the last hour I learned of a site set up to provide information on Timothy Miller and the court action against him.

Here are some excerpts from across the site:

Lisa left the US before the order was issued by the Vermont Court transferring primary custody of Isabella from Lisa her biological mother to Janet Jenkins her former lesbian partner.

And if you were Timo, a pastor who has dedicated his entire life to helping others, and you were faced with a desperate call for help from someone you didn’t know, would you respond?

When Timo received that plea for help, he didn’t know that it could be illegal to assist with arranging travel, as Lisa was the sole legal guardian of her child and there were no travel restrictions. But even if he had, should have he responded differently?

Source: The Timothy Miller Support Network

The site has a page dedicated to facilitating donations to the family and the defense fund.

They also have a subscription link for a GoogleGroup dedicated to providing updates and prayer requests.

Oh, and I doubt the site is official in any sense. (According to Network Solutions, it was created on May 1, so it’s brand new.)

Tim Miller Case Corrections

Reports have it that Timo Miller (aka, Timothy David Miller) got involved in the Lisa and Isabella Miller case because Lisa attended the church he pastors in the US. As I understand it, that is not true.

  • Tim has never pastored a church in the United States. He pastors a small congregation in Nicaragua.
  • Lisa attended a Baptist church. Timo is not Baptist; rather, he is Beachy (also variously known — I guess — as Amish-Mennonite and Beachy-Amish).

I’ve also seen it reported that Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) was involved in this case. I understand that to be a false report as well. CAM has made it very clear they were not involved with Lisa and Isabella.

Now a few excerpts from some notes by Loyal Martin (Philadelphia, NY) after Timo’s court hearing Monday morning:

  • Tim, Joanna, and the family came in (and departed) with the appointed attorney to help avoid entanglements with the press. They appeared calm and respectful.
  • The courtroom was filled to capacity with support from 3 NY churches, 2 VT churches, and several families from PA.
  • A family support fund is being set up in PA.
  • Charges are being considered against Joanna and her mother as well.

I had this post mostly ready to post late last night, but I held off, awaiting confirmations and clarifications of some details.

This morning I read a piece that says Timo is in prison. No, he isn’t. He’s free on bail.

Second Guessing Tim Miller

Be careful about indulging in that.

No, I’m not saying there is no grounds for analyzing Timothy David Miller’s actions that resulted in his arrest last week.

I’m just saying that the human tendency to second guess and armchair quarterback after the fact can be dangerous exercises in which to engage.

Here, consider this:

second guessers and armchair quarterbacks

That’s my opinion. I forget too often. But I’ve tried to remember in this case.

USA v. Timothy David Miller

Is Timo Miller on the right side?

What’s the deal with Timothy David Miller’s alleged involvement in Lisa Miller‘s alleged international parental kidnapping of her own biological daughter (a minor of whom she had legal custody)?

I don’t know, even though I’ve read plenty of news accounts and other online commentary.

Is Timo guilty as accused?

I don’t know that either. After reading a document purporting to be the official Read it all

Above all, love God!