A white couple from West Virginia is being accused of child neglect after allegedly forcing their adopted black children to work as ‘slaves’ and locking them in a barn.
At the Kanawha County court on Tuesday, Donald Ray Lantz,63, and Jeanne Kay Whitefeather,62, entered pleas of not guilty to a range of serious charges. These included accusations of human trafficking involving a minor child, exploitation of a minor in forced labor, and child neglect that posed a significant risk of serious harm or death. According to local news outlet, Metro News.
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Accusations have been made against Donald Ray Lantz, 63, and Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, 62, for violating human rights by allegedly singling out black children and compelling them to work based on their race, according to the news outlet. Kanawha County circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers described the children as being “used basically as slaves”, referencing the details outlined in the indictment.
In October 2023, Donald Ray Lantz, 63, and Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, 62, were initially taken into custody following a welfare check that unveiled the distressing living conditions of two out of their five adopted children – aged six, nine, 11, 14, and 16 – at a residence in Sissonville.
During a prior court appearance, Whitefeather contended that the barn where the 14 and 16-year-olds were discovered was simply a “teenage clubhouse” and refuted any claims of them being confined.
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Upon investigation, a nine-year-old girl was located within the primary residence before Lantz arrived with an 11-year-old boy, followed by Whitefeather returning with a six-year-old child.
Their bail has been increased to $500,000 each, up from the initial $200,000 sum.
The couple’s trial is scheduled to commence on 9 September.
