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US Fugitive Arrested With Newborn Son
By Prasit Tarnsirisin Wednesday, March 11, 2015
PHUKET: An American woman who threw away her passport and lived on the run in Thailand as a fugitive for six years is to be deported with her two-month-old son.
Kelly Lynn Miller, 36, fled bail in Alabama in 2009 while facing court action over a fatal car crash.
She hoped to live on islands off the coast of Thailand after discarding her passport and other ID, a media conference was told at Tourist Police headquarters in Phuket City.
She spent years escaping detection, slipping between three relatively remote Thai islands, but her luck ran out yesterday when Tourist Police from Phuket arrested her at Poontrap bungalow on Koh Lanta, off the coast of Krabi province.
Before that she had hidden away on two other islands, Samui and Hang island. She gave birth to her son not in a hospital but in a small Samui clinic, where the birth apparently went unregistered.
It's believed relatives in the US sent money to help her survive.
But somehow American authorities learned where she was and had been watching her movements for a month, today's media conference was told.
Yesterday at 9am Lieutenant Sanchai Tinvongdang and his team from Phuket Tourist Police moved in and arrested her in the guesthouse carpark.
Ms Miller had nothing to say when she faced the Thai media on Phuket today, acting with casual indifference and at one stage applying lipstick as an account was given of her arrest. Because the details were all delivered in the Thai language, it may be that she had no understanding.
However, she also displayed indifference to questions in English from this reporter.
According to the Tourist Police, Ms Miller met the American father of her child in Thailand but according to him, she never gave any hint that she was on the run.
Ms Miller will be handed over to regular police in Phuket City tomorrow who will oversee her movements from there on. It's likely that she will appear in court to face charges of overstaying in Thailand, which usually involves a fine of about 20,000 baht.
Immigration authorities are likely to send her back to the US at the earliest opportunity. The boy is likely to travel with her, Phuketwan was told.
At some point she will face a court hearing in Alabama for jumping bail in 2009 and instead fleeing to hide out on Thailand's islands.
It's not known what the father of her child is likely to do. He was not named today and his presence in Thailand is legal, according to authorities.
Her life on the run in Thailand is expected at some stage to attract the interest of media in the US.
MY BROTHER, Donnie Goodwin,was Kelly Miller's victim of her drunk driving. She's never shown remorse for her actions and by reading the article she still has no remorse. I feel sorry for her child but she put our family through hell. First by killing Donnie and then by running. I hope now she is the one going through her own hell. To those of you who think this is a joke, this could happen to your family. The Goodwin family thanks everyone involved in her capture.
Brenda Goodwin Bagwell
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Quite a story. Is that really the name of the bungalow!? Sounds like something from a bad novel...
Posted by
Lana
on
March 11, 2015 19:17
You think that's a bad name there is a steet near me called Pornsuck I joke you not. Silly foreigners that Engliissh ting tong.
Posted by
Hello
on
March 11, 2015 20:06
Bad novel...sheesh, I got stuck in a poontrap once...and it lasted for over 13 years, then I got divorced and moved to Thailand.
Posted by
Ed Sanders
on
March 12, 2015 01:19
The United States is worried about this woman when goodness knows how many foreign thugs are in this country going un-detected. That's the way big Uncle.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 12, 2015 04:46
My brother,Donnie Goodwin,was Kelly Miller's victim of her drunk driving. She's never shown remorse for her actions and by reading the article she still has no remorse. I feel sorry for her child but she put our family through hell. First by killing Donnie and then by running. I hope now she is the one going through her own hell. To those of you who think this is a joke, this could happen to your family. The Goodwin family thanks everyone involved in her capture.
Posted by
Brenda Goodwin Bagwell
on
March 12, 2015 09:09
The American 'father' of their new kid must have known something was up since she never went to do any 90-day reporting with her passport, didn't do VISA-extensions etc.
Posted by
Leif
on
March 12, 2015 18:40
@Leif.. how do you know she didn't just tell him she was going to immigration and then spend a day at a beach or spa??
best not to speculate and accuse an innocent person of complicity..
Posted by
another steve
on
March 12, 2015 19:41
To wish hell on anyone is the most non Christian and classless thing someone could do. Accidents happen everyday. My sister feels terrible about what happened. God teaches us to forgive. Not wish malice upon others. That poor woman who is the victims sister will never find peace until she can learn to forgive. I thought I would never see my sister again. I'm sure she is terrified right now.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 13, 2015 05:17
Anonymous
don't you find jumping a bail, and trial where circumstances of accident could be established, some settlement / forgiveness act can take a place, a malicious act ?
People are obviously quite outraged by this part.
Posted by
Sue
on
March 13, 2015 09:25
To 'anonymous'. I do not need your feelings of pity. Your sister isn't sorry for what she did to my brother. If she was why did she run? I hope she is scared. I was terrified to see my brother in a casket for which she was and is solely responsible for. Not seeing your sister?? You can. In an Alabama prison. The innocent baby is her victim now.
Posted by
Brenda Goodwin Bagwell
on
March 13, 2015 09:45
It is sad for both families, but they are worried about picking up a women that made a terrible mistake and chose to drive drunk, and was probably scared bc prison is very harsh for someone that isnt street taught, she made a terrible mistake, and there are people that are illegal, saleing drugs, and killing our children and family members, who are illegally here.and not punished, its hard to think she deserves a big punishment, but at the same time if she hadnt had choose to drink and drive that victim would b with his family right now. Its a sad situation and God Bless Both Families...
Posted by
Lindsey
on
March 13, 2015 19:00
I believe I heard authorities in Birmingham say that there was no drugs or alcohol in her system 5 hours after the accident. Please do not judge this woman. Accidents do happen and this would have freaked me out too. Let the courts and law handle her liability. We as Christian people are not to judge. Pray for both families not that anyone goes through hell. Do not wish that on anyone.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 15, 2015 05:06
I don't think that it's right to wish hell on anyone.If you were to read some of the reports of what was going on in Alabama's women prison,women being raped,and impregnated by the guards who were there to protect them.I don't believe the victim's family put that in prospective,i'm not saying she's right for running but who wants to be in a situation where you can't trust the people who are supposed to be trusted because they are abusing their authority by covering up sexual assaults against these women.I stay in Birmingham so I can feel what reasons she had to run.If you don't believe me go to al.com and search Alabama women's prison, or just do Google search.
Posted by
Quevo
on
March 16, 2015 02:09
To Quevo What part of my brothers death being completely the bitch Miller's fault do you not understand?? SHE put herself in the position she is in. I haven't heard of many prisons resembling the Hilton. She thought she could get out of anything but she finally found out how wrong she was. Along with her family members. I never said I hoped she WENT to hell, that's not my call, but that she's GOING through hell. I've read about the prison she's going to. I certainly don't agree with all I read. Some people in prison made mistakes and deserve a second chance. You have no idea the chances Miller had. But you shouldn't worry about her in prison,with her background of prostitution, stripping, running an escort service, drugs, homicide, she'll be running the place before long! Perfect fit for her. Am I mad as hell and despise the tramp? You can bet on it!
Go visit her if you are concerned for her and please tell her I said hi and wish her the best. Wait, I will do that myself! You bleeding hearts should bury a loved one due to somebody's stupidity. You'd see things differently.
Posted by
Brenda Goodwin Bagwell
on
March 16, 2015 07:30
Anyone have the feeling there may be more than one psych bitch involved in this story? Maybe she fled to avoid the other.
Maybe one who uses political connections to seek vengeance.?
She may have done the wrong thing but based on what I've read, she may well have a reasonable excuse!
Posted by
Manowar
on
March 16, 2015 10:52
@Brenda Goodwin Bagwell - relax and take a deep breath. Yes its tragic what happened to your brother but wishing hell and other such things is not the way to go. Forgiveness is next to godliness. Forgive and forget and move on. Its not healthy.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
March 16, 2015 12:48
Ciaran you have no idea what his sister is going through. What a jerk comment
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 18, 2015 03:23
Anonymous,
There would not appear to be many rational people involved in this story. Let's remember the accident happened many years ago and the hatred and seeking of vengeance by those involved appears out of proportion to the event and time passed.
There was an accident, the driver at fault failed on the spot sobriety tests but passed blood tests taken 5 hours later. Any trace of alcohol would still be present.
Look at the comments a certain person has continually made every area of media that she can get her name published in. These comments and desires are many years later.
Can you imagine what the same person was like after the accident and during the trial.
An appeal was granted, bail posted, the accused decide to do a runner. Well if recent actions are any example, I can't blame her.
Now caught, relatives want to bring up the history of the accused and have stated that in their opinion, she has had many chances and now must suffer. So they believe the decision of this appeal is a forgone conclusion.
Given that it was just an accident, the penalty does appear harsh and she has been granted an appeal. The accused has this right and also the right to have the appeal without intimidation and constant hounding by certain persons.
If the original judgement is upheld, so be it.
If it is increased or decreased the same. She then has a right to live her life and suffer from whatever she faces.
It's then over and she has to live with it, so do the victims.
I was interested after some of the comments I read so I searched for some information. Excluding that the accused did a runner, it does not appear to be anyway different to hundreds, if not thousands of similar cases that occur each year.
What is different, is the hounding from certain persons and the desire to see as much pain inflicted as possible.
These same people may well be her best defense providing an excuse why she chose this option.
If I were the accused (or convicted), I would be copying every media article where such comments are made or referred to and present these during the trial to justify my actions in running. If anything, these comments and the small research I have done have reversed my opinion of what had occurred. I assume the same for others.
The linch mob approach is alive and well in the US where people still think "deliverance" is a documentary.
Posted by
Manowar
on
March 18, 2015 08:43
@anonymous - firstly try print your name at the end rather than post as anonymous. I might take your words seriously then.
@manowar - you are very right in your comments - any trial judge might be shocked by these comments.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
March 18, 2015 09:47
Tragic accident. Of course. Has anyone asked her if she left Alabama because she was raped a few months after this incident and was terrified of her assailant? This information can be seen on al.com. Do not judge others.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 19, 2015 06:37
Manowar- I have said nothing in my comments that I would not say to a judges face.Evidently you are a person who thinks time heals all and you seem to have a time frame for that healing. You don't know my family and you don't have any idea what we have been through. My parents didn't have children only to have one taken away like Donnie was by someone who has never given the slightest damn. Accidents happen. But most normal people care about their actions. You were not involved in the process of her trial. You have no idea what you are talking about. All you have is your opinion on the matter. Maybe you didn't come from a close family. Seven children and loving parents. We were brought up to look out for one another. Family meant everything. To be honest with you, kind of sounds like you have some type of "crush" on the killer. Or maybe you already know her. Who knows. You think I'm psycho or whatever, you need to look in the mirror. It's kinda funny you use the name manowar. Greatest race horse that ever lived. Cause you are very truly the horses ASS.
Posted by
Brenda Goodwin Bagwell
on
March 19, 2015 08:37
Editor Comment:
The word is ''arse'' not ''ass'' in the English-speaking world, Brenda. An ass and a horse are much the same.
Editor - I said exactly what I meant.
Posted by
Brenda Goodwin Bagwell
on
March 19, 2015 10:25
Editor Comment:
And Americans will understand.
does man slather not have a statue of limitation ? i though only murder is the only exception
Posted by
siiix
on
March 20, 2015 03:28
Hard to believe all these commentors coming across like Brenda Bagwell is wrong for wishing misery on this wretched Kelly Lynn Miller. I am on the side of Ms. Bagwell, and even more so when I see these pictures of this smug-faced fugitive looking exasperated at the whole process, and even going out of her way to show disdain and disrespect by applying lipstick. I do not believe in heaven and/or hell, but I hope the US authorities do their very best to bring as much misery on this criminal as she has brought on the innocent victim and his loving family. May peace be with you and your family Ms. Bagwell.
Posted by
Ed Sanders
on
March 22, 2015 01:55
Ed Sanders, thank you for your support. It's hard to believe so many people think she is innocent or already paid her dues. I know I come across as uncaring but my brother is the one I care about. NOT Miller or what she's 'going through '. She's now back in the U.S. She should go straight to prison in Alabama. Hopefully she'll get more time for running. I've seen my mother more at peace than I have in a long time. Again, thank you for your thoughts.
Posted by
Brenda Goodwin Bagwell
on
March 22, 2015 11:30
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Quite a story. Is that really the name of the bungalow!? Sounds like something from a bad novel...
Posted by Lana on March 11, 2015 19:17