Laura Miller has been reluctant to show her face; she’s ashamed of the scars that have tormented her for two years.
It was March 9, 2010 when George Rodriguez dragged Miller from her home, pulled off her clothing, poured gasoline in her mouth and on her body and then torched her.
Laura’s small children were forced to watch the fiery assault.
“Evil takes over inside a person. That’s really what had been happening for the past two years,” Miller said.
Authorities said he had stalked her for weeks and threatened to retaliate because Miller had left him.
Victim rights advocate Jennifer McLaughlin said, “Laura was trying to break away from him. Her children wanted away from him and he saw her as property, as an extension of himself. In his mind, she got what she deserved because she had no right to try and leave him.”
Rodriguez was sentenced to life plus 24 years in prison and now that he’s locked away, this mother of three is ready to move forward.
She is desperate for reconstructive surgery.
It’s not about vanity, Laura simply wants her life back.
Miller said,”It’s a constant reminder. It isn’t physical but for me to be able to function, to better move my head, to raise my arms and to use my hands to grab things.”
Laura said she has received tremendous support from Oklahoma and beyond.
She’s hopeful that compassion will continue as she endures the next painful step toward healing.
The Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse is trying to raise $10,000 toward her surgery.
If you’d like to contribute, checks can be mailed to:
OCADVSA,
3815 N. Santa Fe, Suite 124
Oklahoma City, O.K. 73118
Make sure to mention your donation is earmarked for Laura Miller.
