Parents of murdered infant arrested for meth possession at Economy Inn

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 1:55 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

The parents of 11-month-old Mercedes Lain, who was murdered in August 2021 by a babysitter, were arrested Monday evening at a Plymouth motel after police received reports of drug activity in a room where an infant was present.

At approximately 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1st, Plymouth Police were dispatched to the Economy Inn at 2535 North Michigan Street following concerns of ongoing drug activity in a room occupied by a child. Officers were advised that Kenneth Lain, 46, and Tiffany Milton-Coburn, 37 — the parents of Mercedes Lain — were residing in the room with a one-year-old child. Officers were also informed that Lain had an active arrest warrant.

Upon arrival, officers located Lain, Milton-Coburn, and the juvenile inside the room. Lain was immediately taken into custody on his outstanding warrant. Milton-Coburn then provided consent to search the room, during which officers discovered narcotics and paraphernalia. The Department of Child Services was contacted on behalf of the child.

Both Lain and Milton-Coburn were transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. Lain was additionally held on his active warrant and given a $1,500 cash bond. Milton-Coburn was issued a $3,000 cash bond and faces the additional charge of neglect of a dependent.

Mercedes Lain was murdered in August 2021 by her babysitter, Justin Lee Miller, at 11 months of age.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.