OTTAWA — The victims of a triple murder at a rural home at 3197 Georgia Road near Richter have been formally identified but the whereabouts of the baby daughter of one of the victims is still unknown. The three murder victims are Kaylie Bailey, 21, Olathe; Andrew Stout, 30, and Steven White, 31, who both who lived at 3197 Georgia, said Sheriff Jeff Richards, at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. Richards said 18-month-old Lana Bailey, daughter of Kaylie Bailey, was last seen at the house where the murders occurred and remains missing. Besides conducting a murder investigation, the officers continue to look for Lana, he said. There is no evidence that she is dead, he said. Richards said he requested that the KBI issue an Amber Alert just prior to the Wednesday afternoon press conference. However, the KBI refused to issue the Amber Alert, saying it didn’t meet the criteria. Instead, he said the KBI is issuing a statewide alert about the missing child. He said that immediately following the press conference, he would talk to the KBI about what it would take to meet the Amber Alert criteria. The decision not to request an Amber Alert immediately after the bodies were found, and the KBI’s decision not to issue the alert prompted sharp questioning of Richards at the press conference. Following the press conference, KBI deputy director Kyle Smith issued a written statement explaining his agency’s decision not to issue an Amber Alert in the wake of some questions aimed at the KBI. The KBI declined to issue an Amber Alert for two reasons, he said. The media have been actively following the case and the information, including pictures of the missing child, have been widely circulated. Secondly, “utilizing the Emergency Alert System at this point to interrupt broadcasts by the media would not enhance coverage and be an improper taking of private property given the delayed request.” The KBI’s statewide alert would be the equivalent of an Amber Alert, without activating the EAS. Lana-Leigh Bailey is 18 months old, 2 feet tall, 30 pounds, with light brown hair, blue eyes, and was last seen on May 1 in Olathe on her way to rural Franklin County with her mother. The alert also mentioned a black Toyota used by Bailey and her daughter. Richards said the car was found unoccupied in Emporia. He said investigators are interviewing a man sought as a person of interest in the triple murder. Without naming Kyle Flack who has been identified by Kansas City news media, Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Richards said late this morning that a person of interest was picked up by Emporia police late Tuesday night. Richards was careful not to describe the man as a suspect. No one has been arrested nor is there a suspect, Richards said. Richards also declined to provide details about the murders. He said the manner of death was an important element of the murder investigation, he said. As of Wednesday afternoon, the mile of Georgia Road between K-68 and Osborne Road remains closed to the public as the murder investigation proceeds. More than 40 detectives, including the Major Case Squad, has been involved in the investigation, he said.
Wednesday, May 8, 1 p.m.; updated 6:15 p.m.
