Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) is facing scrutiny after allegations of physical abuse and aggressive behavior surfaced during an escalating custody dispute with his ex-wife, prompting an active child welfare investigation in northeast Ohio as the Republican congressman seeks another term in office.
Bay Village police confirmed they are investigating a suspected child abuse complaint connected to the dispute, though authorities have not announced charges or identified a suspect.
The investigation emerged through court filings tied to Miller’s ongoing legal battle with ex-wife Emily Moreno, the daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno (R).
The allegations became public after Moreno filed court documents seeking changes to the couple’s custody arrangement involving their 2-year-old daughter.
In those filings, she accused Miller of engaging in “dangerous physical behavior” in the child’s presence and described his conduct toward her as aggressive and demeaning.
She argued the existing joint custody arrangement was no longer workable and claimed ongoing conflict between the two could negatively impact their daughter, TiffinOhio.net reported.
Additional reporting later detailed separate allegations of physical abuse made during the couple’s marriage.
According to reports, Moreno alleged Miller physically grabbed her during a February custody exchange and, during another argument in 2024, threw boiling water that caused visible burns.
Photographs published by the Daily Mail purportedly showed bruising and redness allegedly connected to those incidents. Miller has strongly denied the allegations.
Miller pushed back publicly and through court filings, arguing the accusations are false and politically motivated.
He has cited prior child services reviews that he says did not substantiate claims against him and released materials he argues contradict portions of Moreno’s account, including surveillance footage and audio recordings from after some of the alleged incidents, DNYUZ reported.
The legal fight has also expanded into competing accusations involving injuries suffered by the couple’s daughter.
Miller disclosed in court that the child previously suffered a broken collarbone and bruising that triggered a child welfare review by Cuyahoga County authorities.
He said he was ultimately cleared in that investigation and accused Moreno of withholding information about another injury involving the child’s hand.
Moreno disputes Miller’s version of events and maintains the incidents occurred while the child was in his care.
Attorneys representing both sides have traded sharp accusations in public statements tied to the custody case.
Moreno’s lawyer accused Miller of attempting to weaponize the court system against his ex-wife, while Miller’s legal team said allegations brought against the congressman have repeatedly failed to produce evidence supporting abuse claims.
Miller’s attorneys also pointed to a restraining order previously granted against Moreno during the broader dispute.
The controversy has revived attention on earlier allegations involving Miller’s personal conduct.
In 2021, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham accused Miller of abusive behavior during a previous relationship.
Miller denied those claims and later pursued legal action against Grisham over statements made in connection to her memoir.
Miller, who previously worked in President Donald Trump’s administration before winning election to Congress in 2022, remains on the ballot as he seeks another term representing Ohio’s 7th Congressional District.
No criminal charges have been filed, but the investigation and public allegations have intensified scrutiny surrounding the congressman as the custody battle continues.
