Kidnap of Lesbian's Daughter Linked to Christian Network

Tennessee pastor arrested for aiding ex-lesbian mom
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 27, 2011 1:37 AM CDT
Kidnap of Lesbian's Daughter Linked to Christian Network
Lisa Miller answers questions about her custody battle during a news conference in 2009. She disappeared with her daughter after losing custody.   (AP Photo/Lisa Billings, File)

Investigators believe a network of Christian groups helped an evangelical ex-lesbian kidnap her daughter from her estranged lesbian partner and spirit the girl away to Central America. Lisa Miller disappeared with her daughter, Isabella, after losing a custody battle with ex-partner Janet Jenkins in late 2009. Tennessee pastor Timothy Miller was arrested last week and charged with "international parental kidnapping," ABC News reports.

Miller, who worked as a missionary for Christian Aid Ministries, arranged for mother and daughter to travel to Nicaragua, where they stayed in a beach house owned by a businessman with close ties to Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, according to an FBI affidavit. Court documents say the pastor discussed the kidnap with associates and family members even before Lisa Miller lost the custody fight and Jenkins was awarded primary custody of Isabella, who is now 9. (More Timothy Miller stories.)

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