Bond set for stepmother of boy who died tied to tree

TARBORO, N.C. — A Superior Court judge on Wednesday set a $200,000 bond for a woman charged with murder in the death of her 13-year-old stepson, who died after being tied to a tree overnight.

Sandra McMillan pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, felony child abuse, aiding and abetting murder and aiding and abetting felony child abuse.

McMillan and her husband, Brice, are accused of tying up Tyler McMillan overnight last June for being disobedient. The teen also was tied to the tree the next night, and Sandra McMillan found him unresponsive the following afternoon.

An autopsy determined Tyler McMillan died of dehydration and heat stroke.

Judge Milton Fitch said that, if Sandra McMillan posts bail, she must live with her cousin in Cary and wear a monitoring device. She also wouldn't be able to have any contact with her daughter, who lives in Florida with her grandparents, aside from a specified number of phone calls that the grandparents would monitor.

Brice McMillan has waived arraignment and has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and felony child abuse. He remains in the Edgecombe County Jail with no bond.

Prosecutors have filed notice with the court that they don't plan to seek the death penalty against either Sandra or Brice McMillan.

Fitch set a July 6 trial date for the case.

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Latest Comments

Whether it's capital punishment or a Life sentence, death is imminent for Brice and Sandra McMillian.

62kcam
January 15, 2009 3:00 p.m.

The stepmother was the cause of everything that happened to those poor boys. Nothing ever happened to her child. She went into that home and destroyed those children and now she is out on bail. The father has never paid any attention to those boys, not even after their mother died. All he wanted was his Sandy and what she could do for him. She instigated everything and he went along. She was fleeing when the law officers went to find her. She has put those children through a hell that not many of we adults could endure. Please believe me when I say they need to both get the death penalty. We are afraid they are going to walk. Please lets not let this happen. This is not justice. Worried!!!!!!!!!

lmj
January 15, 2009 11:57 a.m.

She may or may not have ACTIVELY participated in the punishment that lead to this poor child's death... or should I say torture to death...but as far as I'm concerned she failed to contact authorities to save her stepson's life and she sure as heck didn't do a thing to stop what happened to the poor kid. She is just as guilty and also deserves capital punishment. Why are they going light on her? This is just as bad as the case against the adoptive family of poor little Sean. The father and ADULT siblings got off scott free, though they watched and observed it all. Something is VERY wrong with this picture *too*

kiediss
January 15, 2009 9:17 a.m.

I am just glad I don't live in Cary. Keep your kids safe. Watch out! I was saying let the court system do its job but I do no know we can't count on the court system any more. The judge is giving her so much more than she ever gave Tyler-even if you exclude tying him to a tree and beating him. There is no justice.

transwersplease
January 15, 2009 7:43 a.m.

roroyrotag - Cary NC must have real prosecuters and judges. The irony of it all is, according to news reports Sandra McMillan will be living in Cary NC with her cousin when she bonds out.

tarheelharley
January 14, 2009 9:36 p.m.