A West Virginia couple has been convicted of child abuse and human trafficking after engaging in forced labor involving their adopted children. Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Ray Lantz, who faced multiple felony counts, were found guilty by a jury after eight hours of deliberation on January 30, 2025.
The couple's trial revealed shocking details about their treatment of the children, all of whom are Black, at their home. The accusations included locking the children inside a shed, forcing them to sleep on the floor, and even using buckets as toilets. These instances of neglect and mistreatment prompted prosecutors to characterize their actions as rooted in severe violations of civil rights.
Whitefeather was convicted on all 19 counts leveled against her, including civil rights violations and human trafficking. Lantz was found guilty on 12 out of the 16 counts he faced. The trial, which commenced mid-January, captured the attention of the community as it laid bare the couple's alleged atrocities against the five adopted siblings ranging from ages 5 to 16.
Revelations from neighbors formed part of the prosecution's case, as they testified they rarely saw the children playing and often witnessed Lantz making them perform arduous chores. Following the couple's arrest last October, authorities described discovering the children—with the oldest girl and her teenage brother locked up, and another child isolated within the house. A 9-year-old was found crying alone, and horrified deputies reported the children wore dirty clothes and smelled of body odor.
Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak expressed heightened emotional responses following the verdict, stating at a news conference, "These cases mean a lot to us — we take a lot of this personally. This is our community, and these are the children of our community. If we’re not going to fight for them, then who will?”
During the trial, the couple defended their methods, with Lantz stating the chores were intended to teach responsibility. Whitefeather claimed the locked shed was merely a “teenager hangout” for the children. Contrarily, their eldest daughter testified the living conditions were distressing, indicating they were deprived of proper meals, clean clothing, and safe sleeping arrangements.
Assistant Prosecutor Chris Krivonyak strongly condemned the couple's treatment of their adopted children, asserting during the closing arguments, "The whole point of treating them this way is they become less than human. How do you do this to someone you love?” The prosecutors also highlighted racist text messages allegedly from Whitefeather, which contributed to the argument framing the couple’s actions as deeply rooted in discrimination.
The defense maintained the couple faced overwhelming challenges with the children’s complex needs due to past traumas. Defense attorney John Balenovich contended the family had sought assistance from state welfare agencies on numerous occasions, insisting these services had failed. Yet, Assistant Prosecutor Madison Tuck countered, noting the couple neglected to pursue care even when help was readily available nearby—a mere four minutes away at the behavioral health clinic.
The emotional weight of the trial extended beyond legal ramifications; it stirred the community’s outrage as many witnessed the prolonged suffering of the children. Reflecting on the proceedings, Tuck asserted, “You want to know what racists look like? Look at them,” as she pointed at the defendants during her closing arguments.
The discussion of sentencing looms for Whitefeather and Lantz, with Whitefeather facing up to 215 years in prison, contrasted with Lantz who could receive up to 75 years. Both defendants are expected to return to Kanawha County Circuit Court for sentencing on March 19, completing the prosecutorial fight for justice on behalf of the vulnerable children who endured pain and neglect.
While the jury found the defendants guilty, this case has raised broader concerns about the adoption system, child welfare oversight, and community responsibility, demanding collective attention to ensuring such abuses do not occur unnoticed. This conviction marks not just the accountability of two individuals, but serves as a rallying cry for vigilance in the protection of children across communities.