Kansas City News Blog

​Update: KMBC Channel 9 reports that police have cleared and released Larry Kidd.

Kidd told Fox 4 that being named as an "associate" of the Mohler family and treated as a suspect was a "horrible nightmare."

KSHB Channel 41 explains how Kidd's name was brought into the case -- a new release issued by police.

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Add Larry Kidd to the list of men suspected of sexually abusing young children in Lafayette County.

Authorities say the 55-year-old Kansas City man is an "associate" of the Mohler family, and they suspect him of raping a child younger than 14. Last night, he was taken to the Lafayette County jail. He has not been formally charged. 

KMBC Channel 9 has video of Kidd (see the screen shot from KMBC above) arriving at a jail.

Also last night, police wrapped up their investigation at a farm near Bates City. They were searching for possible bodies buried on the farmland as well as jars buried with notes alleging abuse.

This all comes after one of the alleged victims, now 26, came forward in August with allegations of sexual abuse dating back to 1988. She apparently wasn't the only victim -- five others, now in their 20s and 30s, also told authorities that they were abused.

Burrell Edward Mohler Sr. and his four sons are accused in Lafayette County of several felony rape charges against children younger than 12.

The 77-year-old patriarch is accused of presiding over "mock weddings" of young girls to Mohler's sons before they were sent off to the chicken coop or a camper for privacy.

Senior is accused of forcible rape and two counts of rape and two counts of using a child in a sexual performance.

Here's the charges against his sons:

• Burrell Edward Mohler Jr., 53,of Independence: deviate sexual assault and two counts of using a child in a sexual performance

• David Mohler, 52, of Lamoni, Iowa: forcible rape

• Jared Leroy Mohler, 48, of Columbia: forcible rape, sodomy and two counts of using a child in a sexual performance.

• Roland Mohler, 47, of Bates City: using a child in a sexual performance

Senior, David and Jared Mohler were all lay ministers with the Community of Christ. The church quickly suspended their licenses.

The Mohlers are expected to appear in court again on November 17.

This afternoon, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is holding a press conference outside of the Community of Christ church in Independence. They'll be asking other alleged victims to speak out and urging church officials to offer resources to the alleged victims.

Police are also looking for other victims, asking them to call 660-259-6789 or 816-474-8477.