A West Virginia couple has been found guilty of human trafficking, child abuse, and forced labor in a landmark case for the state. Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Ray Lantz were convicted on multiple charges following a trial in the Kanawha County Circuit Court, where severe mistreatment of their five adopted children was revealed.
After eight hours of deliberation, the jury found Whitefeather guilty of all 19 charges against her, including civil rights violations, human trafficking, and child abuse, according to the Associated Press (AP). Lantz was convicted on 12 of 16 charges, being acquitted of four civil rights violations.
Fox News reported that this marks the first human trafficking conviction in a circuit court in West Virginia’s history. Kanawha County Prosecutor Debra Rusnak emphasized the case’s significance, stating, “These are the children of our community, and if we don’t fight for them, who will?” The couple is set to be sentenced on March 19, with Whitefeather facing up to 215 years in prison and Lantz up to 140 years.
The couple adopted the five siblings in Minnesota and lived on a farm in Washington before moving to West Virginia in May 2023, when the children were between 5 and 16 years old. The case came to light in October 2023 when neighbors in Sissonville alerted authorities after seeing Lantz locking the eldest daughter and her teenage brother in a shed before leaving the property. A sheriff’s deputy used a crowbar to free them.
Inside the home, officers found a crying 9-year-old girl in a loft without fall protection. Another child was with Lantz upon his return, while the youngest was found later. The children were found in dirty clothing, malnourished, and smelling bad. The eldest had sores on his feet and was barefoot. They were placed in Child Protective Services custody after the couple’s arrest.
During the trial, witnesses stated the children rarely played but were instead forced into hard labor, lifting heavy objects and digging with their hands. Prosecutors presented security camera footage showing the children standing for hours, sleeping on the floor, and using a portable toilet. The eldest daughter testified they were punished by being forced to stand with their hands on their heads for long periods and were only given peanut butter sandwiches or leftovers to eat.
One child testified that Lantz beat them with PVC pipes, while evidence showed Whitefeather used pepper spray on them. The children, who are Black, were subjected to racial abuse, with prosecutors revealing text messages where Whitefeather referred to them as “monkeys” and “pigs.” She allegedly refused to eat from the same plates as them, calling them “dirty.” In closing arguments, Assistant Prosecutor Madison Tuck pointed to the defendants and said, “You want to see what a racist looks like? Look at them.”
Defense Claims Mental Health Struggles and Strict Parenting
The defense argued that the couple was overwhelmed by the children’s mental and emotional difficulties rather than acting with malice. Lantz claimed the chores were meant to teach responsibility, while Whitefeather described the shed where the teens were found as a “recreational space.” They also claimed a child attempted to escape, justifying the locked shed, but investigators found the key hidden and out of the children’s reach.
Lantz’s lawyer, John Balenovich, blamed child protective services for failing to help the couple care for the children. However, prosecutors noted that the couple never sought mental health treatment for the eldest child. A forensic psychologist testified that the couple’s abuse worsened the children’s psychological conditions.
This case has been labeled one of the worst instances of child abuse in West Virginia. Prosecutors emphasized the importance of the conviction, which could set a precedent for future human trafficking and child abuse cases. Whitefeather and Lantz’s sentencing is scheduled for March 19, 2024, while the five siblings remain in state custody.