A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Lantz, were convicted of mistreating their adopted children, including locking some in a shed, forced labor, human trafficking, and child abuse. They face up to 215 and 160 years in prison, respectively. The children, five Black siblings, were adopted while the couple lived in Minnesota. They were later moved to a farm in Washington state and eventually brought to West Virginia in May 2023. The mistreatment came to light when neighbors saw the oldest girl and her teenage brother locked in a shed by Lantz. The children were found in dirty clothes and smelling of body odor, and the oldest boy had sores on his feet. The children were eventually rescued and placed in Child Protective Services.
During the trial, neighbors testified to witnessing the children being forced to perform difficult chores and being cursed at by Lantz. The oldest daughter, now an adult, sued the couple for severe abuse and neglect. The daughter testified to being fed a steady diet of peanut butter sandwiches and being mistreated by Whitefeather. The couple’s defense argued that they were overwhelmed with the children’s mental health issues and trauma from their biological home. However, a forensic psychologist testified that the couple’s treatment worsened the children’s conditions.
Prosecutors highlighted that the couple failed to seek help for the children, even though there were nearby resources available. The oldest boy, in particular, is now receiving full-time care in a psychiatric facility. The defense claimed that the couple’s actions were due to poor parenting decisions, not racism or forced labor. The sentencing is set to take place in court, where the couple faces significant prison time for their crimes.
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