11-month-old Mercedes Lain found dead, Miller to be charged in her death

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- Officials announced during a press conference Thursday morning that 11-month-old Mercedes Lain was found deceased.

On August 15, Plymouth Police responded to the Economy Inn to take the report for the missing 11-month-old.

Kenneth and Tiffany told police a family relative, Justin Miller, had taken Mercedes on Friday to give the parents a break. He was supposed to bring the child back the following day, but it was later decided he would bring her back on Sunday, according to the probable cause affidavit.

A Silver Alert was declared on Sunday for Miller and Mercedes.

At 3:30 a.m. Monday, Miller was located at a residence in Starke County, but he did not have Mercedes with him.

Miller was taken into custody and questioned multiple times.

On Wednesday afternoon, Miller said on August 14 he was at a residence in Mishawaka and when he woke up, Mercedes was deceased.

He told officers he took her body to Starke County and left it there.

Miller took officers to 1025 E. 50 N in Starke County and Mercedes' body was located in a wooded area.

Chipman said the location of the victim was not visible from the street.

Miller is going to be charged with neglect of dependent resulting in death, prosecutor Nelson Chipman said.

Chipman said an autopsy has not been scheduled yet.

Chipman said the parents were unaware Mercedes was deceased.

Mercedes' parents, Kenneth Lain and Tiffany Coburn, have already been charged with neglect of a dependent.