Warning: This article contains some disturbing details of child abuse
When we think of parents, we imagine protectors, caregivers, and the people who are supposed to keep us safe.
But what happens when that trust is shattered in the most horrifying way possible?
This is the story of John DeHart and Sarah Miller, a couple accused of unspeakable crimes against their own child.
It’s an ongoing true crime case that has left investigators, legal experts, and the public in shock.
Let's get into it.
The Shocking Abuse and How It Was Exposed
John DeHart and Sarah Miller are accused of sexually abusing their biological child for several years, according to Law&Crime.
The abuse reportedly started in 2011 when the child was just 4 years old and continued until 2013, when the child was 6.
The details came to light in December 2023 after a witness from a separate investigation came forward to report the abuse.
This led to a full criminal investigation by the local police department.
As part of the investigation, the Lancaster County Children’s Alliance conducted forensic interviews with the victims.
These are special interviews that help child abuse victims share their experiences in a safe way.
During the interviews, the victim shared horrifying and disturbing details.
They said they were forced to undress and perform sexual acts with both DeHart and Miller.
This disturbing act often happened in the couple’s bedroom.
The victim also said that if they refused, DeHart would call them a “bad kid” and threaten to lock them in the basement.
The basement was used as a place of punishment for the victim.
During "the punishment", the victim was forced to sit naked in the basement with the lights off for hours.
In one instance, DeHart pointed a small gun at the child in the basement and said, “This is a warning.”
This kind of abuse left the victim scared and traumatized.
They also said that Miller would touch them inappropriately during showers and tell them it was “normal” and “not to be scared.”
Because it was their mother saying this, the victim believed her, according to Law&Crime.
This kind of manipulation made the child think the abuse was okay, even though it was deeply wrong.
According to police reports, two other children were living in the home at the time.
While these children were not sexually abused, they were still physically abused.
In one incident, DeHart allegedly picked up one of the other children and held them over the oven as if he was going to put them inside.
The child also recalled DeHart making disturbing comments that day like, “Who wants to be my dinner?”
The abuse only stopped in 2013 when the victim was separated from DeHart and Miller.
However, the trauma stayed with the child, who struggled to come forward for years.
It wasn’t until December 2023 that the witness’s report led to a full investigation.
John DeHart and Sarah Miller are now in custody and both are now facing serious charges.
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| Sarah Miller |
The Dark Past of John DeHart and Sarah Miller
John DeHart, 56, and Sarah Miller, 34, had a troubling history of crimes involving children before this case.
In 2013, John DeHart was convicted of endangering the welfare of a child and indecent sexual intercourse with a minor.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six to twelve months in prison.
A year later, in 2014, he was convicted again for similar crimes and sentenced to four to eight years in prison.
After these convictions, he was required to register as a sex offender.
Even with his dark past, DeHart tried to present himself as a normal person on social media platforms.
He claimed to be a poet, novelist, and even a pastor.
He had an active online presence, posting TikTok videos regularly.
But his past tells a different story—one of a man who has repeatedly harmed children.
Sarah Miller also has a criminal history.
In 2014, she pleaded guilty to corruption of minors and was sentenced to eleven to twenty-three months in prison.
This was followed by four years of probation.
Like DeHart, she was required to register as a sex offender.
However, in 2017, she was arrested and charged for failing to register as a sex offender with the state police.
This led to another prison sentence of ten to thirty-six months.
What’s even more troubling is that both DeHart and Miller were convicted sex offenders, yet they were still able to have custody of children.
This raises serious questions about how the system failed to protect the victim in this case.
Their past crimes show a pattern of behavior that should have raised red flags.
Instead, they were able to continue their lives, allegedly harming their own child in the process.
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| John DeHart |
Legal Proceedings and Justice for the Victims
John DeHart and Sarah Miller are facing extremely serious charges.
John DeHart was arrested on April 18, 2024, in Philadelphia.
He is being held in Lancaster County Prison on a $1 million bail.
Sarah Miller was arrested on May 8, 2024, and is also being held on a $1 million bail.
DeHart is facing 15 charges, including rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, incest, indecent assault, and terroristic threats.
The terroristic threats charge comes from the time he pointed a gun at the victim and said, “This is a warning.”
He is also charged with endangering the welfare of children for locking the victim in the basement and threatening to harm the other children in the home.
Sarah Miller is facing 13 charges, including rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, incest, and endangering the welfare of children.
She is accused of participating in the abuse and manipulating the victim into believing it was normal.
If convicted, both DeHart and Miller could face decades in prison.
The charges are so serious that the judge could order them to serve their sentences separately and not concurrently.
This means they might never be released.
This crime happened more than 10 years ago and usually, there’s a time limit for filing charges.
However, new laws now allow child abuse victims to come forward no matter how long it’s been.
The victims in this case have shown incredible bravery by coming forward and sharing their stories.
Their courage has helped bring this case to light and could lead to severe punishment for their parents.
Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately.
You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous.
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