Doris and Verus Miller of Indiana want custody of their granddaughter, Clare Elise Miller, who turned 6 last month.

In November, Clare's mother, Ann Miller Kontz, admitted in a Wake County courtroom to killing her first husband, Eric Miller.

Clare was the only child of Ann and Eric Miller. At her father's death in December 2000, she wasn't yet 1 year old.

Miller Kontz moved to Wilmington and married Paul Martin Kontz in 2003.

Miller Kontz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the poisoning death of Eric Miller. She was sentenced to between 25 years and 31 1/2 years -- the most prison time allowed for a person with no prior convictions. Miller Kontz is serving her sentence at the N.C. Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh.

Since her mother's arrest, the little girl has been living with Daniel and Danielle Wilson in Wilmington. Danielle Wilson is Miller Kontz's sister.

"It is true that my family is seeking custody of Clare," Leeann Magee said in a telephone interview Thursday. Magee is Eric Miller's sister and lives in Pennsylvania. "All this custody stuff is just getting started."

After Miller Kontz was sentenced last year, the Miller family declined to comment about any plans concerning Clare.

Doris and Verus Miller could not be reached for comment Thursday. They are named in court papers along with their eldest daughter, Pamela Baltzell of Kentucky, and her husband.

A custody case opened in September 2004 transferred Clare to her aunt and uncle's care. The Miller family has filed a motion to intervene in that case.

Miller Kontz, 35, was charged with first-degree murder in September 2004, nearly four years after the death of Eric Miller, 30, a pediatric AIDS researcher. He died from doses of arsenic.

For nearly five years, Miller Kontz denied she was involved in his killing.

And for five years, the Millers pushed for the death of their son to be solved and came to believe he had been murdered.

During the years between Eric Miller's death and Kontz's 2004 arrest, it was Danielle Wilson who maintained the connection between Clare and her paternal grandparents.

Reached at home Thursday, Daniel Wilson declined to say much and referred inquiries to his attorney.

"As you know, we do have custody," he said. "And we're trying to keep Clare out of the media as much as possible."

Wilmington domestic lawyer Jim Lea, who represents the Wilsons, said he hopes the situation can be "amicably resolved," but hopes Clare remains with her aunt and uncle.

"They are great custodians for her, and this is where we think she should stay on a permanent basis," Lea said.