AUSTIN, Texas – Terry Miles, the man who kidnapped two Round Rock girls and is a person of interest in their mother’s death, has been sentenced to life in prison.

  • Terry Miles found guilty in February
  • Sentenced to life in prison
  • Person of interest in roommate’s death

His charges include two counts of kidnapping, transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and transporting a minor with intent to engage in illicit sexual acts. Miles has been sentenced to life in prison on the first three counts, and 360 months in prison for the fourth count, all to run concurrently. Miles was found guilty of all four charges in February after delays in his case.

Miles’ attorney was seeking a 30-year sentence claiming his client has a “damaged brain.” Speaking on his own behalf, Miles referred to pictures of his brain saying “I don’t think that’s normal.”

The judge says Miles has a long history of criminal behavior and is concerned about what protects the public going forward. According to the judge, evidence points to Miles having killed the girls’ mother.

Police arrested Miles in Colorado in January 2018, several days after his roommate, Tonya Bates, was found beaten to death in her Round Rock home and her two daughters missing.

Investigators found the two girls, who were then 14 and 17 years old, with Miles, who then told police he didn't kill Bates. Due to the fact that Miles took the girls across state lines, the case was taken up in federal court.

Since he was convicted, according to Child Protective Services, one of the girls has been adopted by a family and the other is in foster care.

Round Rock police continue to investigate Bates' death and Miles remains a person of interest. Whether or not more charges will be filed is up to the Williamson County District Attorney, who refused to comment on the case.

Miles will have 14 days to appeal his sentencing. 

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