Bend Police continued their investigation Thursday afternoon into a Wednesday evening murder at Legacy Landing, a low-income apartment complex for seniors in Bend. Joshua Lawrence Smith has been charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing his mother, Janice Marie Smith, 59.

Police are asking for assistance locating additional potential victims of a Bend man  accused of sexually abusing an 8-year-old girl.

Bend Police first became aware of Christian Robert Kas, 55, in November 2020 after the agency received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child sex abuse material, according to Bend Police spokeswoman Sheila Miller. After nine months of investigation, Bend Police suspended the case due to a lack of information, but recently reopened it after the 8-year-old girl came forward earlier this year alleging abuse.

Detectives searched Kas’ home on NE Eighth Street in Bend and found children’s clothing and other evidence supporting accusations of child sex abuse, police said. Kas was arrested on Oct. 4 and charged in Deschutes County Circuit Court with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of encouraging child sexual abuse.

In 2017, Kas pleaded no contest to charges of assaulting his domestic partner and served 30 days in the Deschutes County jail. He also has two prior convictions for possession of methamphetamines.

Kas was released from jail on Monday under the condition he have no contact with minors, court records show. His plea hearing is set for Nov. 27.