Person of interest in Mansfield couple’s deaths has bond set on unrelated charge

DAYTON — Bond was increased to $500,000 on Tuesday for a person of interest in the deaths of a Mansfield couple who is facing an unrelated gun charge.

Larry D. Rodgers, 31, of Dayton, was charged with one count of having weapons while under disability, according to Montgomery County court records.

>> RELATED: Person of interest in Mansfield couple’s death indicted on weapons charge

The charge is unrelated to the homicides.

A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.

On Nov. 16, Todd Burkhart, 28, and Kyla Hayton, 21, were reported missing.

Burkhart’s body was found Nov. 22 and Hayton’s was found Nov. 25. Both were found in different vacant houses on West Stewart Street, near where Hayton’s car was discovered.

It appears the couple died around the same time, according to Montgomery County Prosecutor Kent Harshbarger.

>> RELATED: Prosecutor: Charges in Mansfield couple’s homicides will take time

Hayton was five months pregnant according to Burkhart’s sister, Courtney Burkhart.

Rodgers was arrested in November after police obtained a search warrant for a house in the 600 block of Groveland Avenue “in relation to an ongoing homicide investigation,” court records read.

A .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine was found in a bedroom closet, according to court records.

Rodgers is not allowed to have a weapon because of his previous 2012 burglary conviction.

He has not been charged in the couple’s deaths at this time.

>> RELATED: 2 bodies found in 2 Dayton houses; person of interest named in deaths of Mansfield couple

Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. said it will take some time before charges will be approved in the case.

“The investigation is in the early stages and so once the detectives finish their investigation, we’ll review it with them to see about what the charges should be, and whether any charges will also be in line and appropriate because she was pregnant,” he said in November.