When D. Miller was an Assistant Prosecutor he tried and convicted a defendant for poisoning a child with Seroquel, a medication that was prescribed to the Defendant for mental bipolar disorder. Defendant had already had a prior conviction on her record for child abuse from January 30. 2011.
D. Miller had been approached by the child’s mother, Christyne Kadlitz, for suspicions that the Defendant in August of 2012 used a drug to sedate her child, but there was very little proof. D. Miller worked with the Chief Investigating Officer to have the boy’s blood work re-sent to the lab to be tested for drugs other than Valium, Vicodin and other over the counter sleep aiding medication that had been tested previously. It had been discovered the Defendant was on Seroquel. So we had that added to the list of drugs tested. Sure enough, the powerful medication, Seroquel, was discovered to be in the young victim’s blood.
On August 13, 2013, Derek secured a unanimous jury conviction for for child abuse. However, over Miller’s objections, the Judge imposed a light sentence, despite the prior conviction just 2 years ago.
By this time, the Defendant found a new boyfriend that had a son Wyatt. Wyatt’s mother, Erica Hammel, felt a strong maternal impulse that something was wrong with the new girlfriend. However, despite trying, Erica could not adequately search the woman’s criminal history. She tried to get access to the girlfriend’s criminal history through the Friend of the Court, but could not get access.
on 11/1/2013 Defendant, Rachel Edwards, abused Erica’s 2 year old son Wyatt by shaking him nearly to death. The case once again ended up in the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
After hearing Erica’s story, and being very familiar with Defendant, Rachel Edwars, Miller reached out and met with Wyatt and his mother Erica Hammel. Listening to Erica explain how she had desperately tried to search the Defendant’s record to see if she had a violent history to no avail, Derek agreed with Erica that a registry would be an ideal solution to give parents a critical tool to protect their children from falling into the wrong hands in the future.
Once elected the following year to the State House of Representative, Derek worked with fellow legislators Sarah Roberts and Vanessa Guerra and wrote the legislation for the Nation’s first Child Abuse Registry. It would be named Wyatt’s Law, in honor of Wyatt. This legislation was copied by Indiana’s legislature and signed into law by then governor, Mike Pence. It took a number of years in Michigan but was finally passed into law May of 2022 and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Derek had left the legislature by then and the Bill had been reintroduced and sponsored by Rep Kevin Hertel.
Derek’s first-hand experience getting legislation created, supported and passed is experience and a skill very few possess.
“I had the honor of working with Derek Miller in the creation of a law named after my son, Wyatt’s Law. I cannot speak highly enough of Derek’s dedication, expertise and professionalism. Derek was instrumental in drafting the original bills of Wyatt’s Law, which was the first legislation of its kind to be introduced not only in Michigan, but the United States. His deep understanding of the law, the legislative process and his strong commitment to this cause made all the difference, bringing this legislation to life. Wyatt’s Law is now a reality providing essential protection to Michigan’s children. Derek’s contributions have left a lasting impact and I will be forever grateful for his help and guidance.“
– Erica Hammel. Wyatt’s mother and Crusader of Wyatt’s Law.
