Iowa Student’s Quick Note to Bus Driver Leads to Rescue of Kidnapped Mother Held Hostage Overnight
WESTGATE, Iowa — A child’s handwritten note to a school bus driver may have saved her mother’s life after she was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted throughout the night by a man now facing serious felony charges.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 29-year-old Glenroy Stefand Miller, a citizen of the Bahamas, was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping, willful causing of serious injury, and domestic abuse assault.
Note Sparks Swift Police Response
The drama began around 7:24 a.m. Wednesday, when the Sumner-Fredericksburg School District contacted deputies after one of its students boarded a bus and handed the driver a note reading: “Call 911.”
Deputies rushed to the child’s home in rural Westgate, about 140 miles northeast of Des Moines, and found the girl’s mother injured and unable to call for help herself.
Investigators said she had secretly given her daughter the note after being held captive overnight.
Assault Lasted All Night
According to authorities, Miller beat the woman repeatedly, at one point threatening to kill her while holding a knife to her throat and wrists.
The sheriff’s office said Miller initially attempted to drive the victim to a hospital but turned back, fearing he would be arrested. He then continued the assaults, causing serious injuries that required medical treatment.
Arrest and ICE Detainer
Miller was arrested and booked into the Fayette County Jail. A judge set his bond at $25,000 cash-only during his first court appearance.
Officials also confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Miller due to his immigration status.
The victim’s daughter, described as an elementary school student, has not been publicly identified. Authorities say she played a pivotal role in ensuring her mother’s safety by slipping the note to her bus driver.
The case has drawn attention statewide for the bravery of a child who acted quickly under terrifying circumstances. For more breaking crime updates and community safety stories, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.