MIDDLEFIELD -- A half dozen home invasions in four counties have lead to widespread fear that more serious violence is coming.
In court and confused Tuesday morning, suspects Levi Miller and Johnny and Lester Mullet weren't sure what to do without their spiritual leader.
Bergholz Bishop Sam Mullet was a no-show. The three were transported to Holmes County where they face burglary and kidnapping charges.
They are accused of late-night home invasions there and in Carroll County. In one of those alleged attacks, Myron Miller had six inches of his beard cut off.
Nearly a half dozen attacks in four counties since September have set Amish communities on edge.
Unsubstantiated rumors that Amish schools were the next targets caused many of them to close. Prairie Lane School and three others in Middlefield, two in Parkman, two in Windsor and one in Mesopotamia.
Rumors are enough to spread fear in a community that communicates only through word of mouth. Educators are trying to stop the panic.
Middlefield District Superintendent Andrew O. Yoder is responding to the concerns.
"If anything happens, we feel confident to put our trust in the Lord. I am encouraging all schools to stay open," Yoder said.
With three in jail and another two arrests expected this week, what's left to fear? Many in the Amish community want to see Sam Mullet himself behind bars.
Mullet told Channel 3 earlier this week that members of his sect were not acting on his orders. although he did know about the attacks.
Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said the Bergholz Bishop implicated himself when he spoke to reporters earlier this week. Still, Mullet has not been charged with a crime nor identified as a suspect for now.
WKYC-TV