Warrant: US sex abuse case could include slayings

Associated Press
2009-11-18 02:16 AM

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This combination of undated photos released by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department and the Marion County Sheriff's Office shows, from left to right on the top row; Jared Leroy Mohler, 48, of Columbia, Mo., David A. Mohler, 52, of Lamoni, Iowa, Burrell Edward Mohler Sr., 77, of Independence, Mo., and from left to right on the second row; Burrell Edward Mohler Jr., 53, of Independence, Mo., Roland Neil Mohler, 47, of Bates City, Mo. and Darrel Wayne Mohler of Silver Springs, Fla. (AP Photo/Lafayette County Sheriff's Dept./Marion County Sheriff's Dept.)

Associated Press

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Lafayette County Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh, right in suit, talks to investigators as they search for evidence on a rural property near Bates City, Mo. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. Authorities were searching for bodies and buried glass jars containing notes written more than 15 years ago by children who may have documented sexual abuse by five members of their own family. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Associated Press

Detectives in the state of Missouri are investigating whether members of a family already charged with sexually abusing children may have also killed several people.

A search warrant returned Tuesday includes few details, and none about the identities of the victims of the alleged slayings or how many may have actually occurred. Investigators say they are taking the claims seriously, but are focused on the sexual assault case.

Prosecutors have charged Burrell E. Mohler Sr. with rape, sodomy and use of a child in a sexual performance. He does not yet have an attorney. His four sons are also charged with rape.

The search warrant says three women who say they were abused as children also observed "several murders," and it details how they say they were forced to help kill and bury a man.