Toddler killed in farm accident in Coshocton County

CLARK TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Henry Miller was glad for the extra daylight hours that the first days of May brought. On May 7, he worked all day but came home briefly in the early evening to load some materials into his pickup to help his neighbors. Henry has a reputation for always being there for others, always helpful and friendly, say those who know him.

Miller was happy to greet his family for a few minutes, especially his youngest boy, Jethro Aaron, who at 14 months was a lively and happy little boy who loved nature. Miller finished loading the back of the truck with what he needed and turned quickly to make sure where Jethro was.

His young son was playing in a puddle in the driveway and had always been fascinated by nature. Miller pulled the truck around and just as he was ready to head down the driveway, he felt the sickening thud that occurs when a truck comes into contact with something of substance.

There was no scream. There was no noise. When Miller got out to investigate what he had hit, he saw Jethro’s lifeless form. Terrified, he picked up his young son’s body and carried him into the house. He knew that life had fled. “Just 30 seconds before, he was playing happily,” he said.

Henry, his wife Anna and their seven siblings were all confused. This couldn’t happen. He can’t be gone. They tried to process it. Since they are all believers, their first thought was not to call 911, but rather to call the pastor of their church. It was the shock that made her simply stare at the still and silent form of her youngest child, paralyzed by his condition and unable to make clear decisions.

Anna Miller felt as if the world around her had melted. She had still been breastfeeding that little boy. He was happy and always smiling. She could hardly understand it.

When she returned from the funeral two days later, she said she wished people knew about her son’s death. “It’s worth it to take care of your kids — to really see them,” Anna Miller said. “We have to really share every day with them – not get so caught up in what we’re doing that we miss important moments.”

Anna Miller said she watched Jethro play in the yard on the morning of the day he died. He turned his head to listen to the sounds of the birds. He watched the activity on the farm and turned to see the chickens and young kittens.

“I remember thinking that he was so aware of everything and I was so happy to see him so happy out there.” Since Jethro’s death, the home has been visited by family, friends and neighbors. They have gathered around family in this rural Coshocton County community.

Friend Edna Mae Miller cleans up the kitchen with her husband Wayne to help the young couple. She said she felt like God gave Anna this moment, this intuition, like a gift on the morning of the day he died. “I told Anna that God had kept her there for that moment so that she would always remember him that way,” Edna Mae Miller said.

Neighbor Josh Hostetler said he heard the sirens when the family called 911.

“They came in two speeding police cars and then an ambulance. I told my wife that something big was going on and then I realized it was Henry and Anna’s apartment and I was like ‘Oh no, oh no’ because you could just tell it was bad.” Hostetler said as he placed a vase of flowers on the table. “I just want to pick her up,” he said.

Henry Miller feels the tension of the last few days. He said he had a message for people.

“Love your children. We only have a moment and then they’ll grow up. Or something like that happens. We are so busy with our priorities. We think that things we do or have to do are important, but that is not the case. We are often always in a hurry. Make time for your children. Enjoy it.”

The siblings have just returned from their youngest brother’s funeral and subsequent burial, quiet, reserved and dressed in their best clothes. They help transport groceries and flowers from their family van to the house. A 15-year-old daughter was said to have been “like a second mother” to her now-deceased little brother and seemed to be having the hardest time dealing with the situation.

Another daughter tells her parents that she has a bee sting on her foot. Both Henry and Anna get some ointment for her because life goes on and seven children need her.

Anna Miller looks forward with determination.

“Jethro’s life will not be without meaning. I am sure the story of his life and death will help someone in some way.”