A West Virginia couple is facing serious legal trouble after two children were found locked inside a structure in Sissonville. The incident occurred on Monday, October 2, 2023, and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call regarding the welfare of the minors. Deputy H.K. Burdette arrived at the scene, located at the 200 block of Cheyenne Lane, where she discovered a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy locked inside a barn or shed. The children stated that they were unable to open the door from the inside.
Authorities issued a news release stating that deputies had to force entry into the barn to rescue the two juveniles. The room they were locked in measured approximately 20×14 feet and had no means of exit, no running water, no bathroom facilities, and lacked adequate hygienic care and food. It was evident that the children had been deprived of basic living necessities.
The teenage girl informed deputies that they had last received food around 6 a.m. on Monday and had been locked inside the shed since then. She also revealed that confinement was a recurring ordeal for both siblings, as they were not allowed inside the house. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the shed had no windows and only contained a table and chair. There were no beds or access to running water. A camera was found in the upper left corner of the room, and a criminal complaint revealed the presence of an RV toilet on the floor covered with a black tarp. The shed had concrete floors and plywood walls.
In another distressing discovery, authorities found another young child locked in an unprotected loft, around 15 feet high, inside the house. When the deputies initially arrived at the scene, neither parents nor guardians were present. However, later that night, the adoptive parents, 63-year-old Donald Ray Lantz and 61-year-old Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, arrived.
Whitefeather reportedly admitted to deputies that the children had been left in the shed and purportedly stated “they like it.” As a result of these alarming circumstances, Lantz and Whitefeather were taken into custody and charged with felony gross neglect, creating a substantial risk of injury. Their bonds were set at $200,000 in cash.
This shocking case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Neglecting their basic needs, confining them, and subjecting them to inhumane conditions is a severe violation of their rights and can have long-lasting physical and psychological effects. It is crucial for society to remain vigilant and report any suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.
Child protective services, law enforcement, and community organizations must work together to protect vulnerable children and provide them with the necessary support and resources. Training programs, public awareness campaigns, and improved communication between agencies can help prevent similar instances of neglect and abuse from occurring in the future.
Additionally, individuals should be educated about the signs of child abuse and neglect to better identify and report such cases. Early intervention and appropriate intervention can save lives and ensure the well-being of children.
In conclusion, the West Virginia couple’s arrest following the discovery of two children locked in a shed sheds light on the devastating consequences of child neglect and abuse. The importance of safeguarding children’s rights and providing them with a safe and nurturing environment cannot be overstated. It is the responsibility of society as a whole to protect and advocate for the well-being of children and take proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.
