West Virginia Couple Convicted of Forced Labor of Adopted Kids

Jury Finds Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Ray Lantz Guilty of Neglect and Forced Labor

A West Virginia jury has convicted a couple who were accused of neglect and forced labor involving their adopted children, including locking some of them in a shed, forcing them to sleep on the floor and use buckets as toilets.

The Couple’s Troubling Behavior

The couple, who are white, were accused of mistreating their children — all of whom are Black. They went on trial in mid-January on more than a dozen felony counts each that included forced labor, civil rights violations, human trafficking, and child neglect.

The Verdict

The jury convicted Whitefeather on all 19 counts against her, including the civil rights violations. Lantz was found guilty on 12 counts out of 16. He was acquitted of four counts of civil rights violations.

The Children’s Plight

Whitefeather and Lantz adopted the five siblings while living in Minnesota, moved to a farm in Washington state in 2018, and then brought the family to West Virginia in May 2023, when the children ranged in age from 5 to 16. The couple was arrested in October 2023 after neighbors saw Lantz lock the oldest girl and her teenage brother in a shed and leave the property. A deputy used a crowbar to get them out.

Testimony Reveals Horrors

Inside the main residence, a 9-year-old girl was found alone, crying in a loft with no protection from falling, according to a criminal complaint. A fourth child was with Lantz when he eventually returned. Deputies were later led to the couple’s youngest daughter. The children were found in dirty clothes and smelling of body odor, deputies said, and the eldest boy was found barefoot with what appeared to be sores on his feet.

The Couple’s Defense

The couple’s eldest daughter, now 18, testified that the outdoor work occurred mostly in Washington and that some of them were forced to use their hands for digging. She also said the children were fed a steady diet of peanut butter sandwiches at scheduled times, some left over from a previous meal. Some kids were forced to stand in their rooms for hours and keep their hands on their heads. The oldest girl and boy shared a room, including the same bucket for using the bathroom while the other held up a sheet for privacy.

Conclusion

The couple’s actions were a shocking example of the abuse and neglect faced by many children around the world. The jury’s verdict sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The children are now receiving the care and support they deserve, and the couple will face the consequences of their actions.

FAQs

* What was the nature of the abuse and neglect?
The couple was accused of locking their adopted children in a shed, forcing them to sleep on the floor, and using buckets as toilets.
* How many counts were the couple charged with?
They were charged with over a dozen felony counts each, including forced labor, civil rights violations, human trafficking, and child neglect.
* What was the verdict?
The jury convicted Whitefeather on all 19 counts against her, including the civil rights violations. Lantz was found guilty on 12 counts out of 16. He was acquitted of four counts of civil rights violations.
* What is the current situation with the children?
The children are now receiving the care and support they deserve, and the couple will face the consequences of their actions.