A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Whitefeather, 62, and Donald Lantz, 63, are facing a slew of new charges related to the severe abuse of their adopted Black children. The couple has been accused of locking their children in a barn and subjecting them to forced labor, a situation that has shocked the community and raised serious concerns about child welfare and human rights violations.
Background of the case
The couple was initially arrested in October 2023 after authorities discovered two of their adopted children — a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy — locked in a padlocked barn without electricity or running water. A third child, a 9-year-old girl, was found isolated in a loft within the home, away from the adults and her siblings. Reports indicate that the couple had adopted five children in total.
New charges and allegations
Recently, Whitefeather and Lantz pleaded not guilty to new charges, which include multiple counts of child abuse resulting in bodily injury. Whitefeather is accused of using bear spray and repellant on her children, while Lantz faces charges for physically striking one of the children. These new allegations add to their existing charges, which include human trafficking, civil rights violations based on race and child neglect.
Living conditions of the children
The living conditions of the children have been described as horrific. Upon their rescue, the children were found in deplorable states, with reports indicating they were forced to sleep on a bare concrete floor without any bedding. The 16-year-old girl recounted being locked in the barn for approximately 12 hours, and police noted the overwhelming smell and stifling heat inside the barn due to a lack of ventilation.
The children were reportedly given a small toilet seat torn from an RV for bathroom use.Witnesses, including neighbors, reported that the children were not allowed inside the main residence and were forced to perform farm labor. Upon their rescue, the children were described as dirty and feral, with one boy suffering from open sores on his feet.
Legal proceedings and community response
Since their initial arrest, Whitefeather and Lantz have been held without bail after a judge revoked their bond due to the severity of the allegations. The couple had previously made bail in February 2023 but were rearrested after a grand jury indicted them on more than a dozen new charges. The judge overseeing the case, Maryclaire Akers, described the situation as unprecedented, highlighting the human trafficking and human rights violations involved.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak expressed the horror of the situation. “You heard in the testimony about what these children were going through and it’s horrifying and despicable,” she stated, according to Metro News Television. The community has rallied in support of the children, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability in cases of child abuse.
The case of Whitefeather and Lantz serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues of child abuse and human trafficking, particularly within marginalized communities. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the well-being of the children and the need for systemic changes to protect vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts. The allegations against the couple not only highlight the personal tragedies faced by the children but also raise broader questions about race, adoption and the responsibilities of caregivers.
As this case unfolds, it is crucial for the community and authorities to remain vigilant in ensuring that justice is served and that the rights of all children are upheld.
