PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth Police are asking for the public’s help finding a man wanted in connection with the death of a 5-year-old child earlier this year. Another person has already been arrested in the case.
On May 28, 2025, officers responded to a call for an unresponsive child in the 300 block of Stratford Street. The child was taken to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit have obtained warrants for 31-year-old Barthonia Lee Miller Jr., also known as “Lee.” He’s charged with:
- Felony homicide
- Malicious wounding
- Felony child neglect
- Cruelty to a child
- Failure to secure medical care for an injured child
- Contributing to the delinquency of a child
Investigators believe Miller may be in Roanoke or on the Eastern Shore.
Police say a second person, 31-year-old Ekara Mikkia Cowles, has been arrested and charged in connection with the same case. She faces multiple accessory charges, including:
- Accessory to felony homicide
- Accessory to malicious wounding
- Accessory to felony child neglect
- Accessory to cruelty to a child
- Accessory to fail to secure medical care for an injured child
- Accessory to contributing to the delinquency of a child
Cowles is in custody at the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office awaiting arraignment.
Anyone with information about Miller’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Portsmouth Police Investigations Bureau at 757-393-8536.
Anonymous tips can be shared through the Crime Line by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, using the P3 Tips app, or visiting portscrimeline.com. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,500 if their information leads to an arrest or the recovery of drugs or stolen property.
Police say the investigation remains active.
