Sheriff: At least 2 killers in Ohio mass shooting
WAVERLY, Ohio — Authorities suspect at least two killers are responsible for the deaths of eight Ohio family members in April.
The revelation, from Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader, came during a hearing Thursday over whether juvenile court proceedings related to the surviving Rhoden family babies should be open to the public.
It was the first time Reader has acknowledged this detail of the investigation publicly and the first significant revelation regarding the investigation in several months. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has said many times that the investigation is the largest in state history.
Reader added that he still has "grave concerns" for the safety of the Rhoden children found alive at the scenes of the killings.
Ohio family clings to hope 3 months after 8 were killed
Ruger Rhoden, who was 6 months old at the time of the killings, and Kylie Rhoden, a newborn at the time of the killings, were found alive and physically unhurt in the trailers they shared with their parents the day the eight family members were found dead.
Found dead in four separate residences on the morning of April 22 were Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; his ex-wife Dana Rhoden, 37; their children Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 20, Hanna Rhoden, 19, and Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16; Frankie Rhoden's fiancee Hannah Gilley, 20; Christopher Rhoden Sr.'s brother Kenneth Rhoden, 44; and a cousin, Gary Rhoden, 38.
Reader was the only person to testify Thursday during the hearing in Pike County Juvenile Court afternoon, which was attended by several surviving family members who are trying to get custody of Kylie and Ruger.
Ruger is the son of Clarence "Freddie" Rhoden and Hannah Gilley. Kylie is the daughter of Hanna Rhoden. The court is still determining Kylie's paternity.
Judge Robert Rosenberger asked the lawyers to provide further information related to the law on why court hearings and court documents related to custody and welfare issues of the two children should or shouldn't be public. He gave the attorneys 10 days to provide more details.
Pike County Children Service's Board attorney Elizabeth Howard argued that the proceedings and the associated juvenile court records should remain closed.
Cincinnati Enquirer lawyer Jack Greiner argued Ohio law makes clear that such proceedings and associated court records are public.
Greiner acknowledged that there are some records that may be considered not open for public view.
For the first time, Rosenberger seemed to acknowledge there is a gag order in the case. However, when asked for a copy of the gag order The Enquirer was told it is not a public document.
Reader reminded those at the hearing that this is still an active investigation.
Contributing: Bob Strickley, The Cincinnati Enquirer
