Grandpa's First Picture With Evey 

Dad's Wedding with cousin June 11, 2005 

Better Days - Happier Days 

Our Precious Memories

We love you Evelyn

A Child is Dead and Silence Reigns

Public needs answers on criminal probe, DHS actions.
By Register Editorial Board

July 23, 2005

The murder of 5-year-old Evelyn Miller in Floyd County is both a heartbreaking tragedy and a frustrating mystery, and the absence of public information has a rural community on edge.

Authorities have kept a lid on details, and rumor and speculation have flooded into the void.

The public has a legitimate interest in two aspects of this case: There is the continuing criminal investigation, and as many details about that as possible should be made public now. Then there are questions about the state Department of Human Services' involvement with Evelyn and her caretakers, which ultimately deserves a full airing as well.

Tight-lipped law-enforcement authorities say they simply don't have much information to report, and it's still an active investigation. Fair enough. It is a delicate balance to pursue a criminal case in a fishbowl. But in a case such as this, where public apprehension and suspicions grow each day, authorities have a responsibility to be as forthcoming as possible. That does not appear to be the case so far.

Questions also have been raised about whether DHS properly responded to reported concerns about Evelyn's welfare. Her relatives have accused the department of failing to protect her. That brings to mind the case of Shelby Duis, who was beaten to death in 2000. That case led to changes in state law intended to bring more scrutiny to the state's handling of cases of child abuse that lead to the death or near death of a child. The changes clearly did not go far enough.

Gov. Tom Vilsack reviewed the department's case file under a new state law passed in the wake of Shelby's death. He issued a statement saying he found no "evidence that suggested or indicated that this child was at risk to be abducted or injured, or that additional action on the part of the DHS was warranted."

At the same time, DHS officials have initiated an assessment of the agency's actions, which is due to be completed by Aug. 1. That DHS report will ultimately be released to the public - but only after law-enforcement authorities give the go-ahead. At the earliest, that likely would come after completion of any criminal trial, and possibly never.

Law-enforcement authorities understandably want to avoid public disclosures that might interfere with their investigation. Eventually, however, whenever neglect or abuse leads to the death of a child, the public should know all the details to judge whether the state did everything in its power to prevent the tragedy. It is not enough that the governor issues vague statements or that the department is allowed to put its own spin on its conduct.

When a child is dead, after the initial criminal prosecution is completed, it's hard to think of a reason why all DHS records in the case should not be made public. The Legislature should change the law to ensure that happens.

Letters

From Editor’s Mailbag Globe-Gazette
July 17, 2005

Have You Hugged Your Kids
By APRIL MOOREHEAD, Clear Lake

In light of the terrible tragedy surrounding Evelyn Miller, I just wanted to ask everyone out there: Have you hugged your child/children today. Have you told them you loved them? The events that took place earlier this month are proof that you don't have to live in a big city for terrible things to happen to you.

Our children are priceless, and in an instant they can be gone whether it be an illness, a car accident, abduction, whatever. No matter what your children do or have done, be sure they know you love them no matter what.

My sincerest sympathy to the Evelyn Miller family in your loss. May your beautiful angel watch over you always.

Death penalty justified
By JIM MEEKER, Westerly, R.I. (formerly of Mason City)

I feel the State of Iowa should reinstate the death penalty and make it retroactive so the proper punishment can be provided to whoever murdered the little girl from Floyd.How can anybody say that this would not be just punishment ?

Politicians just don't care
By JESSICA PETERSON TIERNEY, Sexual Assault Advocate, Crisis Intervention Service

There's been much discussion about "cracking down" on sex offenders lately due to the Jetseta Gage case and, more recently, the death of Evelyn Miller.

People are outraged, and rightfully so. What many don't realize is that politicians simply don't care about violence against women and children.

George W. Bush has submitted to Congress a budget that takes all Victims of Crime Act funding and appropriates it into the general fund instead.VOCA money comes from fines and penalties paid by criminals, and it should go back to their victims. If this budget passes and VOCA disappears, every domestic violence and sexual assault project in Iowa will close by 2007.

On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Castle Rock, Colo., vs. Gonzales that domestic violence victims do not have the right to have police enforce court-ordered restraining orders against their abusers. Despite the fact that Jessica Gonzales' abuser killed her three children with multiple gunshots to the head, the Supreme Court feels it's "unrealistic" for police to enforce every restraining order. Without police enforcement, a restraining order is worthless.

It's also interesting to note that this landmark case was almost entirely ignored by the media. Until society in general, and politicians in particular, start taking the reality of violence against women and children seriously, nothing will change.

It's easy to talk the talk, but if they aren't willing to put their money where their collective mouth is, the words are meaningless to victims

A Prayer

Friday July 8th we had a beautiful candlelight memorial service outside at Windsor Presbyterian Church. When we started to pray about how God was in sorrow too, several raindrops fell. When the prayer was over, the raindrops had stopped.

Truly there is a God, he loves Evey and he loves all of us and is holding her in his arms as he grieves with us.

This is our prayer from that Friday’s Service.


Our Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the short life of Evelyn Celeste Miller. We enjoyed every minute with her and she will be profoundly missed by her entire family.

It is through your will that you sent Evey to be with us. Through your will she has left us.

Will is not a cause. Will is not fault.

If a tree is planted and it is not watered, it will fail and die – that is an example of your will.

In your wisdom you willed that the tree must have water, light and nutrition to have life. When man uses his means to destroy what you willed and created, like taking the tree for shelter or fuel to heat our homes, you know and you understand our need to remove that life.

Conversely, when we knowingly take life; when we do so for our own pleasure, sport or sinful nature we are operating contrary to your teachings. You, God are indeed saddened by our evil ways and we will be condemned forever. I believe that on this day, you, my God and Jesus Christ – my salvation, are in more sorrow over Evey’s death than we are.

In your sadness, you have accepted her back to be with you. We know that you and Jesus will enjoy her blessed spirit eternally.

Just as the un-watered tree will fail, we have failed Evelyn. We have failed millions of other children in the world. We have failed to provide the protection, the care and comfort that she needed to be safe and to grow into a beautiful and kind woman. Through our collective negligence, this tragedy happened and we are all indeed sorrowful and in need of your divine forgiveness.

Today, I pray for your loving forgiveness for whatever errors we have made to shorten Evelyn’s life. I also pray for your hope, help and eternal life for Evey. I pray that you, our Lord God will help us to see evil for what it is and help us to destroy it to make the world a better place for children.

I pray for all people, children, and parents to hold, protect and love each other. I pray that we can see farther than our own doorsteps – not to blame, but to help families in need of help to assure that their children have the ability to flourish into what you, God, willed them to become. We need to become bolder in providing your spiritual love and nourishment to all of your children - our children, so that they may grow straight in faith, judgment and morality.

I pray for the change in twisted evil souls to become changed – to become whole – to come away from their wickedness and seek your redemption and forgiveness. I pray that society can understand the need to permanently isolate those convicted of crimes like the one that took Evey. This is a price that we must willingly pay to help protect innocent children.

God, in whatever we do, give us your grace, your guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to seek your truth in our every action.

To those who are grieving Evey’s loss, send the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit to make them whole again and healed by your eternal love.

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray - Amen

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God in his infinite wisdom sent to this earth – our Evey.

Evey, We were not cheated by your life being so short; rather we were blessed by it being so important. We’ll miss you important one.

(Unfortunately we were not allowed to deliver this prayer at Evelyn’s memorial service in Charles City because its content disturbed the other side of Evelyn’s family).

Evelyn's Obituary

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 12:03 PM CDT
Evelyn C. Miller (1999-2005)

CHARLES CITY — Memorial services for Evelyn Celeste Miller, 5, of 1781 Quarry Road, Apartment #4 in Charles City, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday (July 14, 2005) in Charles City at the Congregational Church, 502 N. Jackson St., with the Rev. Phil Corr officiating.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Charles City at the Congregational Church at the address above.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Evelyn C. Miller Memorial Fund, First Security Bank and Trust, 809 Clark St., Charles City, IA 50616
Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.

Andrew J. Christie and Noel L. Miller welcomed their beautiful daughter, Evelyn Celeste Miller, into the world at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City on Aug. 22, 1999. She immediately stole their hearts and continued to delight them, as their only daughter, throughout the following five years.

"Evey," as she was lovingly nicknamed by her family and close friends, was a little girl who could "melt your heart" with her infectious smiles and giggles. She was a very intelligent kindergarten student at Washington Elementary School in Charles City and was excited to reveal to all that she would be entering first grade in the fall. Evelyn often professed that she was especially fond of reading and recess at school and playing with her friends.

Evelyn was a "sugar and spice" kind of girl! She loved playing with her Barbie dolls, My Little Pony and Disney Princesses. Evelyn treasured her fun time while pretending in her "dress up" clothes, dancing ("shaking her booty") to the tunes of "Funky Town" or "Shake, Shake, Shake," going swimming, riding her bike and collecting Polly Pocket dolls and Care Bears. Her favorite color was blue, and her favorite book, which she read over and over, was "If You Give a Pig a Pancake."

Evelyn's parents claim their daughter had a creative mind and spirited nature. She exhibited many pieces of her handwork in paintings, drawings and clay. Evelyn often challenged her family and friends to a good game of "Candyland" and "Pretty, Pretty Princess." She was a great mother's helper in assisting with folding clothes and entertaining her three little brothers. When having the opportunity to purchase a special treat at the store, Evelyn would most likely choose gummy bears, a candy necklace, baby bottle pops, a ring pop or licorice, professing, "she didn't much like chocolate!"

Evelyn's dad revealed that he will always have wonderful memories of time spent with his daughter at his home as they together cooked snacks and meals and spent time just fixing things around the garage. To further enhance Evelyn's blooming interests, he attached a ballet bar in her bedroom so that Evey could dress in her leotards and practice being a ballerina.

Evelyn will forever be cherished and sadly missed by her family and friends who shared in her short but full life.

She is survived by her parents, Andrew "Andy" and Lindsey Christie of Waterloo and Noel Miller and her fiance#, Casey Frederiksen of Charles City; her three younger brothers, Gabriel and Damian Frederiksen, both of Charles City, and Wesley Christie of Waterloo; her grandparents, Diane Miller of Charles City, Richard and Linda Christie of Des Moines, David and Janice Weston of Nashua, Dennis King of Charles City, and Mark and Sandy Kuykendall of Floyd; her great-grandparents, Ada Day of Yreka, Calif., James and Betty Wright of Knoxville, Tenn., Donald and Rosie Carnagey of Collinsville, Okla., and Edna King of Marble Rock.
Evelyn also will be greatly missed by her great-great-grandparents, Violet Woodall of Janesville, Iowa, and Ophelia Watts of Bartlesville, Okla.; her aunts, uncles and cousins, Alithya Runyan, Destiny, Boe and Luke, Irene Miller, Mark Miller, Dawn Miller, Autumn Miller, Steven Christie, Tina (Jeff) Spears and Marley Jane, Jeremiah Christie, Shane (Desiree) Carnagey, Zachary Weston, Niki (Lewis) Litzel, and Alena and Brandi (Joe) Hoffman; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding Evelyn in death is her grandfather, Terry Miller.