In an effort to clear up any confusion regarding a Jan. 25 fire that killed 99-year-old Bertha Yeager and 78-year-old James Barlow, Jr., the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department released information from the autopsy reports that show the bodies were positively identified and no animal remains were included.

“We have the utmost faith in the fire marshal and other investigators who have worked this case,” Dallas County Chief Deputy Randy Pugh said Tuesday. “The reports clear up any confusion and any belief that the remains of a dog or any other animal were included in the remains removed from the house and tested by the state forensics lab.”

Pugh’s comments come a day after a Times-Journal story reported the family had doubts about the remains taken from the home in January. The doubts come less than a week after more remains, those believed to be Barlow, were discovered at the Dallas County Road 39 house, nearly three months after the fire.

Earlier in the day Monday, an Associated Press story had incorrectly reported sheriff authorities confirming animal remains were included in the remains.

Pugh said the department had worked to clear up the confusion Monday with the Associated Press, but a portion of the report was included in the Times-Journal’s story.

According to the autopsy reports, Yeager’s remains and those belonging to Barlow were delivered to the state forensics lab in Montgomery on Jan. 26 for identification. Although the remains were released back to the funeral home and family days later, the official report was not released back to investigators April 13.

The remains that were discovered by Marcus Kelley Sr. and his wife, Yolanda, which the family believes to be Barlow because of visible dental work, have been taken to the state forensics lab for positive identification.