Bone fragments found in Wheatfield, Indiana backyard after reports someone killed, cremated children

WHEATFIELD, Ind. (CBS) — Authorities were analyzing bone fragments found in an Indiana backyard Tuesday, after authorities received a report that someone had killed two children and burned their bodies in a backyard fire pit.

In a joint statement, Jasper County, Indiana Sheriff Patrick Williamson and Coroner Andy Boersma said on the morning of Friday, Sept. 20, the sheriff's office received a report that someone had confessed to acquaintances about killing two of their children and cremating their corpses in the fire pit at their Wheatfield, Indiana home. The release called the children "undocumented," but did not specify what they meant with the term.

The Jasper County Sheriff's office began investigating. The same day, detectives found at least one suspect in a hotel in neighboring Newton County who denied any involvement in the alleged crime—but their cellular devices were seized as evidence.

New information was obtained from the cellular devices, and detectives sought out the suspect or suspects again, the sheriff's office said. Another child in the care of the suspect or suspects was taken into protective custody by the Indiana Department of Child Services, the sheriff's office said.

On Monday morning this week, Jasper County Sheriff's detectives and personnel from other law enforcement agencies searched a home in the 4200 block of Old Orchard Lane in Wheatfield with two cadaver dogs assisting. The current residents and the homeowner cooperated with the search, the sheriff's office said.

The cadaver dogs pinpointed three separate locations, where partial bone fragments were found, the sheriff's office said.

Investigators used shovels to break ground on the side of the Old Orchard Lane home. They were seen collecting samples of dirt, and sifting through the backyard fire pit.

"I just saw a bunch of shovels; I saw a sifting tool. They were putting the dirt into it and picking things out of it," A neighbor said. "I couldn't see what they were actually putting into evidence bags. It's a nightmare. I've had a ton of anxiety about it." 

On Tuesday, the bone fragments went to a specialist in Indianapolis for analysis to determine whether they were from an infant or an animal.

The findings have left many here in the neighborhood stunned.

"It's a nightmare, I've had a ton of anxiety over it," said neighbor Monica Prentice. "I am a mom, so just knowing that possibly there are children being uncovered over there, it's heartbreaking."

"It's like, who would bury children in their backyard? " said neighbor Katie Hudspath. "It's unreal."

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to call the Jasper County Sheriff's office at 219-866-7334.

Wheatfield, Indiana is located about an hour and a half southeast of Chicago.