Man convicted of kidnapping for helping ex-lesbian flee United States with her daughter

A man from Waynesboro, Virginia was convicted of international parental kidnapping and conspiracy for helping an ex-lesbian flee the country with her daughter last Thursday.

In 2009, Philip Zodhiates assisted Lisa Miller and her daughter to get away from her former lover who was awarded with visitation rights with the child. According to the indictment, Zodhiates made the arrangements with another man in Buffalo, New York to transport Miller and her daughter to Canada.

According to Christian News, the two-week trial was focused on proving whether Zodhiates helped Miller out of his generosity or just to keep the child, now aged 14, away from Miller's former lover.

"We had a lot of evidence about intent," says U.S. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Van de Graaf, who served as one of the prosecutors, adding, "We also had strong evidence about the secrecy and deception used by the defendant."

Robert Hemley, one of Zodhiates' attorneys, argued that Miller's secrecy should not be blamed on Zodhiates. "There is no such thing as guilt by association," he said.

Zodiates, who is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 30, could face up to eight years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Miller's ex-partner Janet Jenkins testified at the trial stating that she is willing to do "anything and everything" to get the child back. The former lovers were joined in a civil union in Vermont in 2000. Miller gave birth to a daughter named Isabella through artificial insemination in 2002.

The couple split in 2003 and Miller reportedly renounced her homosexuality and became a Christian. The court gave custody of Isabella to Miller while granting visitation rights to Jenkins.

Miller reportedly became concerned about what Isabella was learning from Jenkins during the visitation. She claimed that the girl at age six was forced to take baths with Jenkins and was touching herself inappropriately. She added that Isabella became withdrawn and talked about suicide.

Miller filed for exclusive custody of Isabella which had been granted to her by the court. Jenkins fought against the ruling until the Virginia Supreme Court awarded visitation rights to her in 2008. A family court judge granted full custody to Jenkins in 2009 after Miller continued to refuse her former partner from visiting the child.

By that time, Miller had already fled the country with the aid of Mennonite Christians. She is believed to be living with her daughter in Nicaragua.

Kenneth Miller, the pastor who transported Miller from Buffalo New York to Canada, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. The pastor was held in contempt for refusing to testify against Zodhiates. Timothy Miller, a Mennonite pastor in Nicaragua, was arrested and deported to the United States in connection with the case. He will be tried in Buffalo next month.