KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A suspect in a high-profile investigation one night, Larry Kidd was a free man the next day.
On Friday, authorities in Lafayette County released Kidd from custody and gave him an escort back to his home in Kansas City.
“I’m ecstatic. I just can’t wait to see him,” said Harry Crisson, Kidd’s friend and landlord.
Just 24 hours earlier, Crisson had watched as a SWAT team surrounded his home, where Kidd has occupied a room for the past seven years. He was whisked away to Lafayette County, arrested for child rape and connected to the Mohler family investigation.
“I couldn’t believe the charges they were bringing up against him,” said Crisson. “In truth, there weren’t any.”
At a Friday afternoon press conference, authorities would not completely eliminate Kidd’s name from their investigation. Lafayette County Sheriff Kendrick Alumbaugh only gave a vague explanation.
“He is being released at this time and he’s cooperating with our investigation. That’s all I can say about Mr. Kidd,” Alumbaugh said to reporters.
Crisson described Kidd as “easy-going and always smiling.” He has been clean for 11 years and went straight to a support meeting upon his return to Kansas City, Crisson said. Currently, he has been working as a counselor for recovering addicts.
“I think his part of the story is over and I think we need to let that part die,” Crisson said.
On Thursday, authorities mentioned Kidd as an “associate” of the Mohler family. However, in the seven years he has known Kidd, Crisson said he has never heard his friend mentioned anyone in that family.
