The increasingly public custody dispute between Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, and his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, took another dramatic turn Thursday after Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said he relocated members of his family to a secure location outside the state over concerns for their safety.
The senator, whose daughter Emily Moreno is locked in a contentious custody battle with the congressman, told CNN anchor Jake Tapper that he moved his wife, daughter and granddaughter until they believe it is safe to return.
According to Tapper, Moreno said, “I sent my daughter, granddaughter, and wife out of State to a secure place until such time as they feel safe.”
The custody dispute has become increasingly contentious as allegations and denials continue to unfold in public.
Emily Moreno has accused Miller of a series of abusive acts during their relationship. Among her allegations are claims that the congressman pointed a gun at her head, threw scalding hot water on her, shoved her into a wall, and physically abused their two-year-old daughter, allegedly causing the child to suffer a fractured collarbone.
Miller has denied any wrongdoing.
The allegations have drawn additional attention because Stephanie Grisham, who served as President Donald Trump’s White House communications director, has also accused Miller of abusive behavior. Grisham dated Miller in 2019 and 2020.
Despite the mounting accusations, Miller has continued to reject the claims against him. He has defended himself through social media posts and television interviews, though those appearances have generated additional scrutiny.
One of the most closely watched interviews came Tuesday during an appearance with CNN’s Jake Tapper. According to the article, Miller’s remarks prompted largely negative reactions, including criticism from some Republicans.
After initially remaining quiet about the controversy, Sen. Moreno has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of his former son-in-law.
The Ohio senator described Miller as exhibiting “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior” and expressed concern about his daughter’s safety as well as that of his granddaughter.
“He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter,” Moreno said.
The senator also urged Miller to end his re-election campaign and seek professional help.
Calling the allegations part of what he described as a broader pattern, Moreno said Miller should “seek professional help to end the clear pattern of abuse he has left in his wake.”
The controversy has also reached Capitol Hill. At Miller’s request, the House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into the allegations.
Meanwhile, the congressman has acknowledged that President Donald Trump told him he is facing what Trump described as a “tough race.” Even so, Miller has declined calls for him to withdraw from his re-election campaign.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Aug. 10 is the deadline for Ohio Republicans to replace Miller on the ballot if they choose to do so.
Not long after sharing Sen. Moreno’s statement Thursday, Tapper reported that Miller disputed the senator’s account regarding the family’s departure.
According to Tapper, Miller said Moreno’s claim was inaccurate and provided CNN with email exchanges that he said showed his ex-wife sharing flight information with him for herself and their daughter. Tapper also reported that the emails indicated Emily Moreno had offered Miller an opportunity to visit their daughter before they left if he was able to do so.
The custody battle continues as both sides publicly dispute each other’s accounts while the allegations remain under investigation.
