By Donald Bradley
Kansas City Star
November 12, 2009
http://www.kansascity.com/703/story/1564393.html
LEXINGTON, Mo. | They said they were just little girls trying to bury their horror in jars around the farm.
They wanted somebody to know what happened to them. So, according to authorities, the sisters wrote notes about the years of sexual abuse at the hands of older relatives and hid them in the earth.
Then the children — one was a boy — buried the pain and anguish within themselves.
Years would pass. But on Wednesday, authorities came to the farm south of Bates City, Mo., to dig for the notes — and possibly a body.
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| Wednesday on a farm near Bates City, Mo., authorities searched for glass jars holding notes purportedly written years ago by sexually abused children. Photo by John Sleezer |
With a man and his middle-aged sons in jail, investigators descended onto the rural property looking for evidence of rape, sodomy, bestiality and possible homicide.
According to court documents, Burrell Edward Mohler Sr., 77, of Independence, allegedly presided over the abuse that included "mock weddings" in which one of the girls would marry a relative before the two would head to the chicken coop for privacy.
"You all have some fun," Mohler reportedly then told them, pulling a blanket over the open door.
Four of Mohler's sons are also charged: Burrell Edward Mohler Jr., 53, also of Independence; Jared Leroy Mohler, 48, of Columbia; Roland Neil Mohler, 47, of Bates City; and David A. Mohler, 52, of Iowa.
According to the charges, each of the men participated in the abuse of the children — all younger than 12.
Three of the men arrested this week were members of the Community of Christ lay priesthood: Burrell Mohler Sr., David Mohler and Jared Mohler.
The priesthood licenses of all three were suspended Wednesday morning, said Linda Booth, church communications director.
"None of the three had any leadership roles, nor did they have any active roles as volunteers with children or youth," she said.
All five defendants were arrested Tuesday in coordinated raids for multiple charges of forcible sodomy and rape after one of the alleged victims, now 26, related grim stories, such as being forced with other children to line up on their knees on a bed where each was assaulted by the men.
Lafayette County Prosecutor Kellie Ritchie said the defendants were expected to appear in court today.
Authorities say the woman suppressed the memories for years, but came forward to Independence police in mid-August with accusations of sexual torment that ran between 1988 — when she was 5 years old — and 1995 — when she had an abortion.
"It was a very horrendous crime, and we took it very seriously at that point," said Lafayette County Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh.
The woman, 26, is fearful of the male relatives who participated. Five other alleged victims, now in their 20s and 30s, have since come forward with information supporting her claims, according to court documents.
Investigators also see a "strong possibility" of more victims, Alumbaugh said at a press conference Wednesday in Lexington.
So is finding a body, Alumbaugh said.
"Indications are that an individual or individuals were killed," the sheriff said, declining to comment further.
The five men were charged with 14 felonies, including forcible sodomy and forcible rape with a child less than 12 years old and use of a child in a sexual performance. The sheriff said he expected more charges to be filed.
Authorities could be seen Wednesday handling sniffer dogs, probing the soil and using machinery to dig close to a house at the intersection of Concord Church Road and Old Concord Road, south of Bates City. One of the Mohler sons bought the property from his father in 1995, but the land is now owned by a man who is unconnected to the case.
Brian Burnes of The Star and The Associated Press contributed to this report. To reach Donald Bradley, call 816-234-4182 or send e-mail to dbradley@kcstar.com
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