A couple from West Virginia, one white and one black, were sentenced to a total of 375 years in prison for compelling their five adopted black children to work on their farm as “slaves” while subjecting them to racial slurs. Jeanne Kay Whitefeather was given a sentence of up to 215 years, and her husband, Donald Lantz, a sentence of up to 160 years – the maximum punishment possible. They were found guilty of charges including forced labor, human trafficking, and child abuse and neglect in January.
The judge, Maryclaire Akers, condemned the couple in court, stating, “You brought these children to West Virginia, a place that I know as ‘Almost Heaven,’ and you put them in hell. This court will now put you in yours.” The judge showed no mercy, adding, “And may God have mercy on your souls. Because this court will not.”
The couple’s four oldest children wrote emotional letters to their adoptive parents, expressing the lasting trauma they have suffered, including trust issues and nightmares. The eldest daughter, now 18, directly addressed the court, saying, “I’ll never understand how you can sleep at night. I want you to know that you are a monster.”
The children were adopted in Minnesota and later moved to Washington state before relocating to Sissonville, West Virginia, in May 2023. Authorities discovered the abuse following a child welfare call in October 2023, leading to the rescue of two teenagers who had been locked in a shed on the couple’s property. The conditions in which the children were kept were described as deplorable, with inadequate living conditions and forced labor.
Overall, Whitefeather and Lantz were indicted and convicted for their heinous treatment of the children, who were reportedly targeted due to their race and used as slaves. Testimony from neighbors indicated that the children were rarely seen playing outside and were instead observed doing hard labor or standing in line. The eldest daughter testified to verbal abuse, racist language, and harsh treatment, including being made to sleep on the floor without proper bedding and stand for hours with their hands on their heads.
One person stood guard outside the bathroom while the other person held up a sheet to provide privacy from the security cameras in the house, as testified. This offered a glimpse into the disturbing living conditions in which the children were kept inside the barn, as reported by WCHS. The adopted children range in age from 6 to 16 years old. The defense attorneys for the couple argued that they were overwhelmed after taking in the children, who had already been victims of abuse by their biological parents. Mark Plants, the attorney representing Whitefeather, stated during closing arguments that the couple’s wrongdoing was limited to poor parenting. Plants emphasized that the couple were accustomed to farm life and chores, and their actions were not motivated by race or forced labor. This information was reported with sources from the Post.
