A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Ray Lantz, have been found guilty of mistreating their five adopted Black children, resulting in multiple convictions for forced labor and human trafficking. The jury's verdict followed eight hours of deliberation and highlighted severe abuses including extreme neglect and systemic racial bias.
The court heard harrowing testimony about the children's living conditions. They were reportedly locked in sheds, forced to sleep on the floor, and made to use buckets as toilets. The case has drawn national attention for its disturbing allegations and the couple's apparent disregard for the welfare of the children.
Whitefeather was convicted on all 19 counts against her, which include civil rights violations, whereas Lantz was found guilty on 12 of 16 counts, acquitted of four civil rights violations. The couple were described as having created conditions akin to slavery for the children. The trial commenced earlier this month, ending with the guilty verdict on January 29, 2025.
The Kanawha County Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers, upon indicting the couple, described the case as one of severe human rights violations, asserting, “These children were targeted because of their race, and they were used basically as slaves from what the indictment alleges.” This reflection sets the tone for the gravity of the charges the couple faced.
According to the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak, she found herself emotional during the reading of the verdict, stating, “These cases mean a lot to us – we take a lot of this personally. If we’re not going to fight for them, then who will?” Her sentiments echo the community's rallying against the injustices faced by the adopted siblings.
The couple adopted the five siblings after living together in Minnesota and later moved to West Virginia. Neighbors began to notice signs of abuse when, in October 2023, they witnessed Lantz locking two of the children inside a shed. A deputy was called upon to break the lock and free the children, who were reported as dirty and malnourished.
During the trial, it was revealed by the eldest daughter, now 18, how the children were often subjected to heavy labor, forced to dig with their hands and restricted from playing outside freely. The children had their meals strictly rationed; they were primarily fed peanut butter sandwiches and forced to follow harsh disciplinary actions.
Prosecutors painted the couple's treatment of the children as one aimed at control rather than educational discipline. Assistant Prosecutor Chris Krivonyak remarked, “The whole point of treating them this way is they become less than human,” condemning the defendants' attempts to justify their actions as mere parenting techniques.
Throughout the trial, evidence of racist treatment was introduced, including text messages alleged to have been sent by Whitefeather. The eldest daughter testified to frequent verbal abuse and racist language directed at her and her siblings. She recounted disturbing moments, such as how Whitefeather would call them “dirty” and refused to eat from the same plates as them.
Defense attorneys argued the couple was overwhelmed and pointed fingers at the child welfare system, claiming it had failed them. Lantz’s lawyer stated, “The state’s child welfare agency, which the family requested help from several times, dropped the ball the most in this case.” Yet, prosecutors countered this argument, emphasizing the couple's failure to seek professional help for the children's severe psychological needs.
With sentencing set for March 19, 2025, Whitefeather faces up to 215 years, and Lantz could receive up to 75 years behind bars, depending on the judge's discretion. The community watches closely as this case brings to light the often-hidden issues surrounding adopted children's rights and welfare.
This disturbing case serves as both a wake-up call and a reminder of the systemic issues influencing child welfare systems and the importance of vigilance by communities to protect vulnerable children.