Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio faces allegations that he assaulted his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, during a Feb. 1 custody exchange involving their 2-year-old daughter.
Moreno, who is the daughter of Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, asked a court to modify the former couple’s custody arrangement, according to filings uncovered by the Daily Mail and three sources cited by the outlet.
The filing cited concerns about Miller’s alleged “dangerous physical behavior” around the child.
Moreno alleged that Miller hit her at his home while their daughter watched, leaving bruises on her arm, elbow and torso, according to the report.
The Daily Mail said it obtained photographs showing bruising and redness on Moreno’s body after the alleged Feb. 1 incident.
Bay Village Police Department officials confirmed they responded that day to a child abuse report.
Police did not confirm whether the report involved Miller and Moreno.
The department gave no additional details, saying the investigation remains open, according to the Daily Mail.
Moreno also alleged that Miller threw boiling water from a pot at her in June 2024.
The water struck her chest and left redness that appeared in photographs, according to the report.
Moreno said that incident also happened in front of their daughter.
The couple later entered divorce proceedings.
They reached a settlement in June 2025 that gave them shared custody of their daughter.
Under the agreement, Miller would pay $2,500 per month in child support.
TMZ reported in April that Moreno accused Miller of regularly addressing her “in an inappropriate, aggressive and demeaning manner, which is not in the best interest of our child.”
Moreno also alleged that Miller “has conducted dangerous physical behavior in the child’s presence.”
“I do not believe it is in our child’s best interest for [Miller] and me to jointly make a decision for her,” Moreno said.
She said she feared joint decision-making would “cause direct harm” to their child.
After the alleged boiling-water incident, Miller previously sent Moreno a letter in which he apologized without admitting responsibility, according to the Daily Mail.
The outlet said the letter described Miller calling himself worthless and saying guilt was “eating him alive.”
“I don’t know what to do. I do know you love me, protect me and care for me. I failed to do that for you,” Miller allegedly wrote.
“I’m sorry and I just want to close my eyes and wake up and everything be normal.”
“I know that won’t happen,” the letter continued.
“I’m sorry I failed you and Ruth. It’s eating me alive. I love you, even if you think I don’t. I love you so much. I’m so sorry. I’m just a f—— up and worthless.”
Andrew Zashin, Moreno’s attorney, said the photographs and court records undercut Miller’s past denials.
“These images, combined with the documented history in court filings, directly contradict years of Mr. Miller’s denial,” Zashin said.
“Any claim that Ms. Moreno fabricated these allegations collapses in the face of contemporaneous physical evidence.”
Zashin said Moreno had tried to avoid making the dispute public.
“It is unfortunate that these matters have become public when Ms. Moreno has made every effort to keep them private and out of court for the sake of their daughter,” he said.
“But the ongoing pattern of behavior, coupled with the continued denials, has made silence no longer possible.”
Miller is running for reelection in November.
He will face Democrat Brian Poindexter.
Donald Trump carried the district in 2024 by 11 points, 55-44.
