A former Scientologist with blood ties to the controversial church says Katie Holmes has every reason to be afraid of what could happen to her daughter.
In an ominous statement posted on her website, Jenna Miscavige Hill, the estranged niece of powerful church leader David Miscavige, said Scientology is no place for an innocent child like Holmes' 6-year-old daughter, Suri.
"My experience in growing up in Scientology is that it is both mentally and at times physically abusive," said Miscavige Hill, who bolted in 2005.
Miscavige Hill also recalled children suffering mental anguish under the pressure of trying to process conflicting information forced upon them.
The former church member appeared sympathetic to Holmes, whose reps have said her only concern is Suri's safety.
"As a mother myself, I offer my support to Katie and wish for her all of the strength she will need to do what is best for her and her daughter," the 28-year-old said on ExScientologyKids.com.
Her words join a chorus of criticism involving alleged abuses in estranged husband Tom Cruise's chosen religion.
Miscavige Hill said that as a minor she endured forced labor at her Scientology boarding school, forced confessions, detention in rooms against her will and long periods of isolation from her excommunicated parents.
Britain's Daily Mail reported that David Miscavige's wife, Shelly, hasn't been seen in public since 2007 and that some believe she met a sinister fate after crossing her husband.
In a statement to the Daily News, Scientology lawyer Gary Soter said Miscavige's ex "is not missing. The claim is utterly ridiculous and unfounded."
Former Scientology Inspector General Marty Rathbun told The News Monday that he left the church after enduring physical abuse and stints in "The Hole" — a management prison set up by Miscavige where prisoners sleep on the floor and eat cold leftovers.
"The two dangers I see are having her child turned against her and people pulling strings behind her back to screw up her career," Rathbun said of Holmes on Wednesday.
