Man accused of child abduction misses court date

Donald W. Miller was scheduled to appear before Alexander County circuit court Judge Mark Clarke for a pretrial hearing Thursday, but did not appear.

Miller, 69, is charged with felony child abduction after reportedly trying to lure a child under the age of 16 into a vehicle without permission of the parent Sept. 4, according to an Alexander County court document filed Sept. 6.

Massac County State's Attorney Patrick Windhost is acting as special prosecutor in the case. Windhost said Friday that Miller's attorney, Gary Stark of Cape Girardeau, notified him of Miller's inability to appear in court, but Windhost said he did not have details as to why he was unable to keep his court date.

"He had a preliminary hearing on Dec. 28 and a trial date Jan. 9," he said. "Both have been continued."

Stark could not be reached for comment Friday.

Windhost said he has no address for Miller. An Alexander County circuit representative said the records were still in Clarke's possession. Clarke could not be reached for comment Friday.