A first grader in Iowa may have saved their mother’s life last Wednesday. The child, attending Sumner‑Fredericksburg School in Fayette County, slipped a note to their school bus driver just before 7:30AM saying “Call 911.”
Deputies responded to a rural residence in Westgate and found alarming evidence of abuse. Authorities say the mother had been assaulted multiple times overnight and was being held against her will.
Child delivers message when mother could not speak
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the note was written by the mother because she was unable to call for help while the suspect was present. The student handed the paper to the bus driver, who then alerted law enforcement.
The Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook: "On September 24, 2025, at 7:24AM, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office received a report from Sumner-Fredericksburg School that a student got on a bus and handed the driver a note that read 'Call 911'. Deputies immediately responded to a rural Westgate residence and made contact with the parent of the student. Upon investigation, it was learned that the mother of the child was being held against her will and unable to make a phone call, so she gave a note to her child to relay the message to call for help. "
Brutal assault alleged by prosecutors
When deputies arrived, they say they found visible signs of abuse, KGAN reports.
Investigators report the victim suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung after being kicked, and was threatened with a knife to her throat and wrists.
The suspect, 29‑year‑old Glenroy Stefand Miller, originally from the Bahamas, is now charged with multiple felonies including armed kidnapping, obstruction of emergency communications, willful injury, and domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury.
“It was learned that Miller had seriously assaulted the female victim throughout the night. At one point Miller started to take her to the hospital and then turned around and forced her home after realizing he would go to jail if he did. Miller continued to assault the victim throughout the night causing serious injuries and threatened to kill her by holding a knife to her throat and wrists,” the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook statement.
Miller is being held on a $1,500 bond and is also detained under an ICE hold, per WSYX.
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence and needs help, you are not alone. You can reach out in confidence 24 hours a day to the UK national domestic violence helpline — Refuge — on 0808 2000 247.