Rathdrum man faces life in prison for ‘heinous’ crime

A Rathdrum man will spend at least 20 years behind bars after a jury convicted him of sexually abusing a toddler.

Kevin Miller, 33, was convicted in October of lewd conduct with a child.

Judge Cynthia Meyer sentenced Miller on Thursday to up to life in prison, with 20 years fixed and the remainder indeterminate.

The charge stems from May 2019, when the 3-year-old daughter of Miller’s ex-wife was in Miller’s custody for a few days.

Police reportedly found evidence that Miller had sexual contact with the child, including bruising on her upper inner thighs and bodily fluids on and inside her privates.

Prosecutors said Thursday that Miller has a history of being employed in positions dealing with young, vulnerable children, often with learning disabilities or who have experienced trauma.

Judge Meyer described Miller’s conduct as “heinous” and “unthinkable.”

Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said "Miller’s lack of accountability, from the beginning of the case, through his conviction by a jury, and continuing until sentencing demonstrates the mindset that supports Judge Meyer’s findings. Our community could only be protected by placing Mr. Miller into custody for a long period of time. ”