CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Lantz, are scheduled to be sentenced in Kanawha County Circuit Court after being convicted of multiple charges including human trafficking, forced labor, child abuse, and neglect. The couple mistreated their five adopted children, who are Black siblings, exhibiting behaviors such as locking two of the children in a shed.
On January 29, 2025, a jury found Whitefeather and Lantz guilty of these crimes, with Whitefeather facing a maximum sentence of 215 years and Lantz up to 160 years. The couple, who initially adopted the children while living in Minnesota, relocated to Washington state in 2018 before moving to West Virginia in May 2023. At the time of their arrest, the children were aged between 5 and 16.
Authorities became aware of the couple’s abusive practices five months after their arrival in Sissonville, when neighbors observed Lantz locking the oldest girl and her teenage brother in a shed. A deputy had to use a crowbar to free them. Inside their home, officers found a 9-year-old girl crying alone in a loft without any safety measures against falling. The children appeared unkempt, wearing dirty clothes and smelling of body odor, with the oldest boy found barefoot and suffering from sores on his feet.
All five children were subsequently placed into the care of Child Protective Services following the couple's arrest. Last month, the oldest daughter, now an adult, filed a lawsuit against Whitefeather and Lantz, claiming severe physical and emotional abuse that she asserts has left her permanently scarred.
During the trial, neighbors testified that they rarely saw the children play and noticed Lantz making them perform extensive chores, including lifting heavy objects and standing in line. After realizing neighbors were observing, the children were often confined indoors. The oldest daughter recounted that the outdoor work was primarily forced labor that took place in Washington state and involved strenuous tasks. The children frequently experienced verbal abuse, with Whitefeather reportedly using racially charged language and showing favoritism towards the youngest child.
Testimony revealed that the children were subjected to a monotonous diet consisting largely of peanut butter sandwiches. Some were made to stand in their rooms for hours with their hands on their heads, and the oldest boy and girl had to share a small space on the floor while using a bucket for a bathroom, shielded only by a sheet from security cameras. The defense argued that the couple was simply overwhelmed and attempting to manage the children’s significant behavioral and emotional needs.
Lantz’s attorney, John Balenovich, claimed that the couple actively sought help from state agencies but felt let down when assistance was not provided. In contrast, a forensic psychologist for the prosecution asserted that Whitefeather and Lantz’s abusive practices exacerbated the children's mental health issues. It was revealed that the family had not pursued appropriate care for the oldest boy, whose behavioral issues were documented before the family troubles intensified.
Whitefeather's attorney, Mark Plants, argued during closing statements that the couple's actions were more reflective of poor parenting choices rather than the exploitation of children. He emphasized that the couple's lifestyle involved agricultural work and claimed their actions were mischaracterized.
