By GINA KINSLOW
MUNFORDVILLE — A sex abuse case involving three Hart County residents has been bound over to a Hart County grand jury.
Palmer Buster, 44, of Munfordville; Patricia Buster, 44, of Bonnieville; and Harold Buster, 48, of Bonnieville were arrested on Nov. 24 by Munfordville police following a two-month investigation.
Palmer Buster was charged with three counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a victim less than 12 years of age. Patricia Buster was charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a victim less than 12 years of age. Harold Buster was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a victim less than 12 years of age. All three were lodged in the Hart County Jail, according to Munfordville police chief Greg Atwell.
On Monday they appeared in Hart District Court. The case was bound over to the grand jury and their bonds were increased. They were initially being held on $25,000 cash bonds, but on Monday their bonds were each increased to $50,000 cash, according to a Hart County Jail spokesperson.
The investigation was conducted by Atwell and Benson Bell with the Kentucky Department of Protection and Permanency, who learned of the alleged sex acts when a victim came forward. Patricia Buster, along with her husband, Kenny, were previously arrested on sex charges. Kenny Buster is serving an 18-year prison sentence. When additional victims came forward, the Munfordville Police Department began investigating the family again, Atwell said.
Palmer Buster and Harold Buster are brothers to Kenny Buster. Other charges are pending in the case against Palmer Buster, Patricia Buster and Harold Buster, as well as three other suspects, Atwell said.
Additional information is being sought in the case. Anyone with further information related to the Busters is urged to contact the Munfordville Police Department at (270) 524-5359 or the Kentucky Department of Protection and Permanency at (270) 524-7111.
