Justin Miller facing murder charge in death of Mercedes Lain, according to Starke County Prosecutor's Office

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. -- The Starke County Prosecutor's Office has confirmed to ABC57 Investigates that it has filed murder charges against Justin Miller in the death of 11-month-old Mercedes Lain. 

According to court documents from the Marshall County Prosecutor's Office, Mercedes' parents, Kenny Lain and Tiffany Coburn, gave Mercedes to Justin Miller on Friday, August 13 so they could "get a break." 

Justin Miller is Kenny Lain's cousin.

Miller claims, while he was at a residence in Mishawaka on Saturday, August 14, he fell asleep and when he woke up, Mercedes was dead. He discarded her body off a country road near the Starke-Marshall County line. 

Mercedes' body was discovered on Wednesday, August 18 after Miller led prosecutors to the spot where he left her. 

But up until Sunday, August 29, Miller was only charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death. On Monday afternoon, murder charges were filed. 

Lain and Coburn are charged with neglect of a dependent. It's important to note, Lain and Coburn's neglect charge is not the same as Miller's charge. His carries a higher penalty. 

All three, Lain, Coburn, and Miller, are currently behind bars at the Marshall County Jail. 

ABC57 Investigates is working to get details on Miller's murder charges as well as the probable cause affidavit. We're told the Starke County Prosecutor's Office is just waiting on a judge to sign-off on the charges and as soon as that happens, we'll have additional details.