UPDATE: The Silver Alert for Mercedes Lain has been canceled. The 11-month-old was found dead in what authorities described as a remote, forested area near the Marshall/Starke County line.
Lain’s body was found around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18, after Justin Lee Miller led authorities to the site.
The girl’s parents gave their daughter to Miller to care for on Thursday night. The girl’s father, Kenny Lain, called police on Sunday when she hadn’t been returned to them.
Miller told police he was with the child, Saturday, at a home in Mishawaka. He said he fell asleep and when he woke up, the baby was dead, according to the Probable Cause Affidavit.
Miller disposed of the baby’s body in Starke County, according to the affidavit.
Lain and Tiffany Coburn, who is the girl’s mother, and Miller are charged with neglect of a dependent. Miller will be charged with neglect of a dependent causing death.
An autopsy on the baby’s body will be scheduled. Evidence is still being collected.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Plymouth Police at 574-936-2126 or call 911.
Anonymous tips can be given to Michiana Crime Stoppers at 800-342-STOP or at www.michianacrimestoppers.com or on the Crime Stoppers Facebook page.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
ORIGINAL STORY: Plymouth Police are asking for the public’s help to provide information that could lead to the safe return of Mercedes Lain.
The 11-month-old girl’s parents gave the girl to Justin Lee Miller, 37, on Thursday night, Aug. 12, to watch over her, according to Plymouth Police.
Mercedes father, Kenny Lain, called police on Sunday night when she hadn’t been returned to them. That led to the statewide Silver Alert.
Miller and his vehicle were found in Starke County early Monday morning.
Miller, Lain and the girl’s mother, Tiffany Coburn, are being held on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent, according to Plymouth Police.
Plymouth Police Chief Dave Bacon says they’ve interviewed the parents and Miller and says they’ve given conflicting information.
Bacon is asking anybody who has had contact or saw Miller, Lain or Coburn in Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph Counties within the past week, please contact police.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Plymouth Police at 574-936-2126 or call 911.
Anonymous tips can be given to Michiana Crime Stoppers at 800-342-STOP or at www.michianacrimestoppers.com or on the Crime Stoppers Facebook page.
Tips that lead to Mercedes could also be eligible for a reward.
Mercedes Lain(11mo) is missing and we are offering a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to her being found.
PLEASE SHARE!
We say it all the time, “It’s OUR community” and now we need YOU more than ever!@WNDU @WSBT @ABC57News pic.twitter.com/1jmU12CtLW
— Michiana Crime Stoppers (@MichianaCS) August 17, 2021
8 comments
Give me 5 minutes alone with the prick.
Too quick. Torture for the rest of his life……..
I cannot think of anything cruel enough to do to those involved. Death is too easy, life we have to feed and take care of them. I hope there is a very special place for them in the future, wherever it is. And I deeply h they burn forever.
Vivisection would be appropriate. Take 1 lb at a time every day, starting at the extremities.
So very sad. May the precious angel rest in peace.
Why are the parents being charged with anything? Is there something were not being told?
This story is so sad and doesn’t make any sense. What kind of person could harm/kill an 11 month old baby? I think there is a special place in hell for anyone who brings harm to children, the elderly or the handicapped. I pray her family can find some peace in their hearts, get some sort of closure, and will eventually know “why”, in this senseless and unfathomable murder. I pray for justice for this baby and that everyone involved gets the appropriate punishment. Also, I hope everyone in the jail with them knows why they are there… Idk but, I have heard a lot of people in jail look down the most on baby murderers.
WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS END!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank the good lord she is with him. In Gods eyes there is no worse person than the one that kills children. I am so sick to death of these people taking our innocent children away from us for no reason.