Round Rock teen testifies against accused kidnapper in federal trial
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Round Rock teen took the stand in a federal kidnapping case Wednesday to testify against her alleged kidnapper, Terry Miles. She described in graphic detail the alleged physical and sexual abuse that Miles, 45, inflicted on her.
Miles is accused of kidnapping two girls, ages 7 and 14, from their Round Rock home in the final days of December 2017. They were found safe in Colorado. The girls' mother, Tonya Bates was found dead in the home on Dec. 31 while they were missing and Miles is also considered a person of interest in her death.
TRIAL DAY 2: Trial for Round Rock kidnapping unveils possible murder claim
On the third full day of trial, the teen testified that Miles was jealous and controlling. She said he sexually abused her several times a week while her sister was at school and mother was at work. The girl told the court she didn't say anything to an adult or authority figure because she was afraid Miles would retaliate and hurt her or her family.
The 14-year-old told the jury that on Dec. 29, 2017, she saw Miles and her mother argue. She said she heard Miles tell Bates, "L--- (the older daughter) wants to marry me."
The argument escalated and the teen says she saw Miles hit her mother. The teen hid in a closet with her younger sister.
Miles allegedly told the older sister he had "done something bad," and that they had to leave. Fearful of what Miles might do, the teen says she started packing. She says she saw Bates' body on the floor twitching with no pulse. Her skull was caved in.
"He (Miles) was the last one I saw with my mom," the teen testified. She told the court she believed Miles had killed her mother.
During cross-examination on Wednesday, defense attorneys for Miles questioned the teenager about comments she reportedly made to doctors, police officers, and counselors after Miles' arrest.
In answering their questions, the girl repeatedly replied, "I don't remember."
BACKGROUND: What we know about Terry Miles, man accused of abducting Round Rock girls
As of Monday, the teen girl is living in a group home in Texas and her younger sister is with a placement family who is in the process of adopting her, according to Lisa Block with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
If convicted, Miles faces between 20 years and life in federal prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
KXAN Photojournalist Ed Zavala contributed to this story.
