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PoliticsRunning 3d ↳ Rep. Max Miller Refuses to Drop Ohio Reelection Bid Amid Abuse Allegations

Max Miller denies withholding daughter's bunny; leaked texts suggest pattern

Ohio congressman posts screenshots defending himself against allegations he held a stuffed animal hostage during custody exchanges, but timestamps tell a different story.

3 items156 engagement13 comments BlueskyPress

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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 3 items across 2 sources · 18h ago. Quotes are verbatim.

Rep. Max Miller of Ohio posted screenshots on social media claiming he did not withhold his toddler's stuffed blue bunny during an August custody exchange. However, leaked emails and text messages dating back to March 2025 suggest a pattern of Miller refusing to return the toy during custody transfers. The allegation emerged after Senator Bernie Moreno, Emily Moreno's father and Miller's ex-father-in-law, described the incident to congressional reporters.

  • Leaked emails and texts show Miller allegedly withheld his daughter's stuffed bunny on multiple occasions beginning in March 2025, contradicting his recent denials.
  • The blue bunny conflicts appear part of a pattern across the ongoing custody battle, not isolated incidents as Miller claims.
  • Senator Bernie Moreno publicly revealed the August incident to congressional reporters, framing it as evidence of Miller's character.
  • Miller's defense screenshots include timestamps that actually support the ex-wife's account of the March 2025 incident.

How it unfolded

  1. Report Mother Jones publishes full documentation

    Mother Jones publishes comprehensive reporting with multiple screenshots of emails and texts showing the bunny conflict began in March 2025 and represents a pattern, not a single incident.

  2. Reaction Miller posts defense on X

    Miller posts screenshots claiming to prove he did not withhold the bunny during the August custody exchange, and tells Bernie Moreno to 'please stop the lies.'

    “please stop the lies”

    Max Miller · Bluesky ↗
  3. Report Media outlets report leaked messages

    HuffPost and New Republic publish stories with leaked texts and emails showing a pattern of Miller withholding the toy, dating back to March 2025.

  4. Reaction Bernie Moreno describes August incident

    Senator Bernie Moreno tells congressional reporters that Miller held the blue bunny hostage for 48 hours, causing his granddaughter to cry at night without her comfort item.

    “Max would not hand over the little blue bunny. Literally held it hostage for 48 hours.”

    Senator Bernie Moreno · Bluesky ↗
  5. 14 weeks quiet
  6. Event Bernie Moreno asks about bunny

    Senator Bernie Moreno texts Miller asking if he has his granddaughter's blue bunny, which was supposed to be exchanged at custody pickup. Miller responds to go through the parent coordinator.

  7. 61 weeks quiet
  8. Event Emily Moreno follows up on bunny

    Emily Moreno sends another email to Miller about the bunny, asking if he lost it or is choosing not to return it, calling the latter 'cruel.'

  9. Event First bunny withholding incident

    Emily Moreno emails Miller requesting he return their daughter's blue bunny, which she said had been with the child since birth and was needed for comfort and sleep. She offered multiple options for return.

What people are saying verbatim

“Max, Can REDACTED please have her bunny back? She's had it since birth, sleeps with it every night, carries it with her around the house…Please don't punish REDACTED if you're upset with me.”

Emily Moreno, Miller's ex-wife · Mother Jones ↗ · Feb 28

“Max would not hand over the little blue bunny. Literally held it hostage for 48 hours. This girl is crying at night because she can't sleep without her little blue bunny.”

Senator Bernie Moreno, Ohio Senator, grandfather of the child · Mother Jones ↗ · Aug 5

“This is the level of total and complete depravity.”

Senator Bernie Moreno, Ohio Senator · Mother Jones ↗ · Aug 5

“You can go through the parent coordinator. I'm sure l'll see this one at the next hearing.”

Max Miller, Ohio Representative · Mother Jones ↗ · Apr 30

“Max if you lost it please let me know. If you're choosing to not return our daughters favorite toy for another reason that's just cruel.”

Emily Moreno, Miller's ex-wife · Mother Jones ↗ · Mar 1