“It is with great sadness that I report a body found in Osage County, Kansas, is believed to be the remains of 18-month-old Lana Bailey,” Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Richards said in the statement.
Evidence collected Saturday led investigators to believe it was the infant’s body, his statement said without elaboration.
“We hope that a forensic examination will make a final identification,” Richards added. “Until the identity is confirmed investigators will continue following up on all tips, leads and information connected to this crime.”
The statement did not provide any details of where the body was discovered or how the infant had died. But his statement said a crime scene unit was called to the area “to process this new crime scene.”
“It is not the outcome we’d hoped for but we knew we couldn’t stop searching until Lana was home,” the statement said.
“I want the family of Lana, and all the victims, to know that this investigation will continue until we are confident we have collected as much evidence as we can to ensure justice is served on behalf of all four victims.”
Kyle Flack was charged Friday with capital murder as officials investigated the deaths of Lana Bailey’s 21-year-old mother, Kaylie Bailey, and 30-year-old Andrew Stout. The 27-year-old convicted felon also was charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder in those deaths as well as that of 31-year-old Steven White, authorities have said.
Franklin County Attorney Stephen Hunting said Friday that a firearm was used against the victims at the farm.
He did not elaborate on whether that meant they were fatally shot. Authorities have not commented on a motive.
Richards said earlier that the extensive investigation of what he called a “horrific crime” had taken a toll and that members of the investigative team have required medical attention after searching in difficult areas. Others sought counsel from a chaplain.