Photo credit: www.foxnews.com
Trial Underway for West Virginia Couple Accused of Child Neglect
A West Virginia mother, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, has denied allegations of confining two of her adopted children in a shed, a claim that surfaced after police found the minors behind a locked door. Whitefeather was testifying during the second week of the trial alongside her husband, Donald Ray Lantz, as they face serious charges of mistreating their five adopted children.
The couple, both white, stands accused of various felony offenses including forced labor, human trafficking, civil rights violations, and gross child neglect. These charges follow reports from neighbors in Sissonville, West Virginia, who witnessed Lantz locking two teenagers—a boy and a girl—inside a shed.
Defendant’s Account
During her testimony, Whitefeather described the shed as a “teenager hangout,” asserting that “they weren’t locked in” and that the children had access to a key which allowed them to come and go as they pleased. However, the situation appears more complex. The oldest daughter, now 18, testified last week that she was unaware of any key that would have granted her access. A detective indicated that a key was discovered hidden on top of a cabinet inside the shed.
Furthermore, the daughter recounted that the children were restricted to scheduled meal times, primarily receiving peanut butter sandwiches, and were prohibited from eating outside those designated times regardless of their hunger levels. In contrast, Whitefeather countered these claims, stating that the children had access to the refrigerator and indicating that she prepared dinner for them every night.
Children’s Current Status
Following the couple’s arrest in October 2023, all five children were placed under the protective custody of Child Protective Services. Reports indicate that the couple had adopted the children while residing in Minnesota, subsequently relocating to a farm in Washington state in 2018 before arriving in West Virginia in 2023. At that time, the children’s ages spanned from five to sixteen years.
The couple’s oldest son is currently receiving comprehensive care at a psychiatric facility, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations against his guardians.
The trial is ongoing, and it has drawn significant public interest as community members await the court’s findings regarding the couple’s treatment of their adoptive children.
Related Coverage:
WV Lawmaker Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Kill Entire Region’s Delegation Over Caucus Beef
As the trial continues, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the troubled home life of these children and the actions of Lantz and Whitefeather.
Source
www.foxnews.com