West Virginia
West Virginia couple convicted of abusing adopted children is set for sentencing
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia couple convicted in the mistreatment of their adopted children, including locking some in a shed, is due in court Wednesday for sentencing.
A jury on Jan. 29 found Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and her husband, Donald Lantz, guilty on multiple counts of forced labor, human trafficking, and child abuse and neglect. Whitefeather also was convicted of civil rights violations based on race.
Whitefeather faces up to 215 years in prison and Lantz up to 160 years when they are sentenced Wednesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
The couple, who are white, adopted the five Black siblings while living in Minnesota, moved to a farm in Washington state in 2018, then brought the family to West Virginia in May 2023, when the children ranged in age from 5 to 16.
Five months after their arrival in Sissonville, the couple was arrested after neighbors saw Lantz lock the oldest girl and her teenage brother in a shed and leave the property. A deputy used a crowbar to get them out.
Inside the main residence, a 9-year-old girl was found crying in a loft alone with no protection from falling, according to a criminal complaint. The children were found in dirty clothes and smelling of body odor, deputies said, and the oldest boy was found barefoot with what appeared to be sores on his feet.
A fourth child was with Lantz when he eventually returned, and deputies were later led to a 5-year-old girl. All five were turned over to Child Protective Services after the couple’s arrest.
Last month the oldest daughter, now an adult, sued the couple, alleging severe physical and emotional abuse and neglect that has scarred her permanently.
During trial, neighbors testified they never saw the children play and witnessed Lantz make them stand in line or perform difficult chores around the yard, including lifting heavy items. After Lantz noticed the curious neighbors, the children mostly stayed indoors.
The eldest daughter testified the outdoor work occurred mostly in Washington and that some of them were forced to use their hands for digging. She also said the children were cursed at “all the time” and that Whitefeather used racist language.
The daughter said Whitefeather gave preferential treatment to the youngest child, who wasn’t involved in any of the charges, and that Whitefeather had told the other children that she wished for a life without them.
The daughter also said the children were fed a steady diet of peanut butter sandwiches at scheduled times, some left over from a previous meal. Some kids were forced to stand in their rooms for hours and keep their hands on their heads. The oldest girl and boy shared a room, were forced to sleep on the floor and used the same bucket for the bathroom while the other held up a sheet for privacy from the home’s security cameras, according to testimony.
The couple and their attorneys pushed back on the accusations, with Lantz testifying that the chores were assigned to teach the children responsibility.
The defense argued the couple was simply overwhelmed with trying to get help for the children’s mental health issues, abuse and trauma from their biological home. Lantz’s attorney, John Balenovich, said the state’s child welfare agency, which the family requested help from several times, “dropped the ball the most in this case.”
A forensic psychologist for the prosecution testified that the couple’s treatment of the children had worsened their conditions.
Assistant Prosecutor Madison Tuck said the couple never sought help for the oldest boy despite a behavioral health clinic being just minutes from their home. The boy, whose physical altercation with Whitefeather in 2022 was cited by attorneys as the start of the family’s internal struggles, currently is receiving full-time care in a psychiatric facility.
Whitefeather’s attorney, Mark Plants, said during closing argument that the couple was only guilty of making poor parenting decisions.
“These are farm people that do farm chores,” Plants said. “It wasn’t about race. It wasn’t about forced labor.”
West Virginia
Uniglobe’s annual Travel Show in West Virginia offers unique insight into your next vacation destination
TRIADELPHIA, W.V. (WTRF) — Tables filled with destination hot spots from across the ocean to right here in the states filled the Highlands Event Center during Uniglobe’s annual Travel Show.
Whether it’s taking a scenic train through the U.S. or riding aboard a top cruise liner, travel experts had all the tips for the top vacation spots around.
Owner Jennifer Merryman says each year this event helps clients gather inspiration for their next great getaway.
“It’s a walk-through event where you can go and visit with vendors, talk to them, get inspired about where to go, ask questions as well as just learn about destinations. It’s not a forced booking; it’s a leisurely event to figure out where your next adventure is going to be.”
Jennifer Merryman, owner, Uniglobe Ohio Valley Travel
For more information on Uniglobe visit their website here Full-Service Travel Agency | Uniglobe Ohio Valley Travel | United States
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The momentum behind “Ambrosia!”—an award-winning West Virginia–made screwball comedy—continues to build as filmmakers announced that the film has been nominated for Best Picture at the Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival.
A contingent from the production that was filmed in Beckley will attend the festival screening in Rehoboth Beach, with hopes high for an award, filmmakers say.
“We’ll update you with pictures and such from the weekend,” producer Saja Montague said in a Facebook post. “Thanks to all who were involved. We are keeping the train rolling.”
Produced by Butter Chicken Pictures and Mtn Craft, the 90-minute comedy “Ambrosia!” was written and directed by Shane Pierce and David Gravely, who set out to create a modern throwback to the screwball comedies of Hollywood’s golden age.
The story follows an innkeeper navigating a houseful of eccentric guests and unpredictable staff—an ensemble-driven setup reminiscent of comedy classics such as “Bringing Up Baby” (1938).
Producer Saja Montague said audience interest in digital access has been strong, although streaming availability will be available later.
“We’ve had many excited community members asking about its availability on digital streaming services, but most film festivals will not accept the film if it is streaming,” Montague said. “So we won’t be able to make those commitments until later.”
Montague said the team is currently coordinating with theaters across West Virginia and the region, a process that requires individual agreements for each venue. “It’s an involved process that couldn’t be approached until the movie was ready,” she said.
Meet the comedy makers
The all–West Virginia cast and crew is a point of pride for the filmmakers. Principal cast members—listed alphabetically—include Sandeep Chugg, Eliska Hahn-Diller, Kelsey Hofe, Sam Ingram, Afsheen Misaghi, Hannah Moore-Hughes, Robby Moore, Chris Oxley, David Sibray, and Adam Taylor.
Behind the camera, the production includes director of photography Justin Litton, composer Mathew Jackfert, and sound recordist and audio engineer Aaron Griffin. Executive producers are Chris Oxley, Ann Worley, Richard Hendrick, Kim and Jason Vance, and Sharon and David Gravely Sr.
Supporting cast and background performers include Scott Worley, Steve Clark, Maury Kaplan, Christian Kaplan, Kati Grimmett, Seth Hughes, Robert John Quesenberry, Danny Boyd, Dave Traube, Mariah Plante, Jim Wolfe, Kevin Traube, Christian Shumate, and Debra, Preston, Devyn, Maddy, and Barbara Lanna.
Production-crew members include Dylan Cane, Tijah Bumgarner, Sam Payne, Emilee Pyrtle, DeeDee Ellison, Ann Worley, Will Radford, Kati Grimmett, Tyler Evans, and Emily Butcher.
Film sponsors include Ann Worley, Richard Hendrick, Kim and Jason Vance, Chris Oxley, David Gravely, and Sharon Gravely.
Following its regional screenings, “Ambrosia!” is expected to be released globally on streaming platforms, though specific dates have not yet been set.
“Ambrosia!” has also won Best Feature Comedy at the Western Canada International Film Festival.
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West Virginia
W.Va. Wildfire And Appalachia’s Declining Population, This West Virginia Morning – West Virginia Public Broadcasting
On this West Virginia Morning, high winds Wednesday fanned more than 20 fires across the state. As Chris Schulz reports, the largest of those fires is still burning.
And, the population in central Appalachia has been in decline for decades. As jobs went away, young people did, too. Now, a series of population estimates shows things might get even worse. Journalist Jim Branscome grew up in southwestern Virginia and recently covered this story. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with him. West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode. Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
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