In a courtroom in Charleston, West Virginia, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather stood firm in her denial of confining two of her adopted children to a shed despite the disturbing discovery made by law enforcement officers. News outlets reported that Whitefeather, along with her husband, Donald Ray Lantz, are facing a trial filled with allegations of subjecting their young charges to grueling farm labor.
As the trial entered its second week, Whitefeather took to the stand to defend herself and Lantz against accusations of mistreatment toward four out of the five children under their care, all of whom are Black. The couple, who are white, are confronted with over a dozen felony charges, including forced labor, civil rights violations, human trafficking, and gross child neglect.
The sequence of events leading to the arrest of Whitefeather and Lantz unfolded in October 2023, triggered by concerned neighbors who reported witnessing Lantz locking up the oldest girl and her teenage brother inside a shed before departing the property in Sissonville. Whitefeather attempted to justify the shed’s purpose by labeling it a “teenager hangout,” asserting that the children were not confined but had access to a key to come and go as they pleased.
Contradicting Whitefeather’s claims, the oldest daughter, now 18 years old, revealed during her testimony that she was unaware of any key access, a detail supported by a detective’s earlier testimony stating that the key was discreetly stashed atop a cabinet within the shed. Furthermore, the daughter detailed a meager diet consisting primarily of peanut butter sandwiches served at specific times, with restrictions on eating outside those designated hours, even when hungry. Whitefeather, however, insisted that the children had access to the refrigerator and that she prepared meals for them nightly.
Following the couple’s arrest, all five children were placed in the care of Child Protective Services, signaling a dramatic turn in the lives of these siblings who were adopted by Whitefeather and Lantz while residing in Minnesota. Their relocation to a farm in Washington state in 2018 preceded their move to West Virginia in 2023, by which time the children’s ages ranged from 5 to 16 years old. Notably, the eldest son now requires round-the-clock care in a psychiatric facility, underscoring the deep impact of the allegations against his adoptive parents.
As the courtroom drama unfolds, the stark contrast between Whitefeather and Lantz’s portrayal of events and the harrowing testimonies of the children involved underscores the gravity of the charges leveled against them. The trial continues to shed light on a troubling case of alleged abuse and neglect, prompting a collective examination of the responsibilities inherent in caring for vulnerable youth.
The intricacies of this legal battle serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the well-being of children and upholding the principles of justice and protection in our society. The outcome of this trial will not only determine the fate of Whitefeather and L
