Donald Ray Lantz and Jeanne Kay Whitefeather are facing trial in West Virginia on charges of child abuse and human trafficking.
The couple, who are white, allegedly mistreated their adopted Black children, treating them as “slaves.” In October 2023, two of their children were found locked in a shed outside their home in Sissonville, near Charleston, leading to their arrest... Continue reading here ▶
The trial began with opening statements on Tuesday in Kanawha County. The Assistant Prosecutor, Madison Tuck, explained that the couple had moved from Washington to West Virginia in April 2023, and soon after, neighbors became concerned about the children’s welfare.
They reported seeing the children being forced to work on the property, stand for long periods, and use a portable toilet in the yard, leading to a 911 call that uncovered the situation.
When deputies investigated, they found a teenage boy and girl locked in the shed without adequate food, hygiene, or water. Another young girl was discovered alone and crying in a loft inside the house, which lacked safety measures to prevent her from falling. The couple was not home at the time.
The children will testify about severe mistreatment, including being pepper-sprayed, forced to stand for long periods, subjected to racial slurs, and more. The prosecution claims the couple had the financial means to provide for the children but chose not to.
The couple’s defense attorney, Mark Plants, argued that the accusations stem from the couple’s struggle to handle their children’s past traumas, particularly the boy’s severe mental health issues.
He stated that previous investigations by Child Protective Services (CPS) in Washington found no grounds for action, and the family moved seeking a better environment for the children.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants manipulated and emotionally abused the children, using racial slurs and isolating them from each other. The trial continues, with neighbors and the children themselves providing testimony about their experiences.
One neighbor, Brenda Bailey, shared video evidence of the children’s harsh conditions, showing them performing laborious tasks in the yard without normal child interactions, heightening her concerns for their well-being.
