Elkhart — The Morton County sheriff defended last month's raid of a farm where bodies were rumored to be buried but none was ever found.
Sheriff Loren Youngers said in a statement Tuesday that rumors about the Bitner family farm "have completely blown this situation out of proportion."
Youngers did not disclose the probable cause that led to the search warrant, but said it was not solely prompted by allegations made by an estranged Bitner family member.
"While I am unable to disclose the details, that was not the only evidence that we had available," he said.
The search warrant was for human remains. None were found, Youngers said.
The family's attorney, Clinton Peterson, has maintained the Bitners' innocence. The family has contended officers pointed guns at Joe Bitner, 63, and his 67-year-old sister, Edith.
Youngers said in his statement, however, that officers did not point guns at the family when they executed the search warrant on Oct. 8.
Ammunition, documents, maps and photographs were among the items collected in the raid, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The investigation continues, Youngers said.
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