White couple faces jail sentence over child abuse, forced labor

A West Virginia couple convicted of child mistreatment and forced labor are scheduled for jail sentence on Wednesday March 19, 2025, in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Earlier, Associated Press (AP) reported that Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and her husband Donald Lantz were found guilty of human trafficking, child abuse, and forced labor on January 29, 2025.

Whitefeather was also convicted of civil rights violations based on race, which worsening her legal troubles.

She faces up to 215 years in prison, while Lantz could get up to 160 years behind bars.

The couple, both white, adopted five Black siblings while living in Minnesota before moving to Washington state in 2018.

In May 2023, they relocated to West Virginia, bringing the children, aged between 5 and 16, with them.

Five months later, neighbors saw Lantz locking two of the children inside a shed before leaving the property.

Deputies arrived and used a crowbar to free the children, who were trapped inside.

Inside the house, a 9-year-old girl was found crying alone in a loft with no safety barriers.

Deputies also found the children in dirty clothes, with one barefoot and suffering from sores on his feet.

A fourth child was with Lantz when he returned, and the youngest was later found by authorities.

Child Protective Services (CPS), took custody of all five children following the couple’s arrest.

The eldest daughter, now an adult, has sued the couple for physical and emotional abuse.

She testified that they were forced to do difficult labor, including digging with their hands.

Neighbors said the children were rarely seen playing and were often given hard chores.

The daughter also claimed Whitefeather frequently used racist language against them.

The children were mostly fed peanut butter sandwiches, sometimes leftovers from previous meals.

Some were forced to stand for hours with their hands on their heads as punishment.

The eldest children shared a room, sleeping on the floor and using a bucket as a toilet.

The couple’s defense claimed the chores were meant to teach responsibility, denying abuse claims.

Their lawyers argued they were struggling to help the children with trauma and mental health issues.

A forensic psychologist testified that the couple’s treatment worsened the children’s conditions.

Prosecutors said they failed to seek proper medical or psychiatric help for the children.

The eldest boy, involved in a past altercation with Whitefeather, is now in a psychiatric facility.

Whitefeather’s lawyer argued they were only guilty of poor parenting decisions, not intentional abuse.

“They are farm people doing farm chores,” he said, denying any racial or forced labor motivations.

The court will determine the fate of the couple on Wednesday.

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