West Virginia

West Virginia white couple alleged to have kept five adopted black children ‘locked in barn and used as slaves’

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2024

West Virginia white couple alleged to have kept five adopted black children ‘locked in barn and used as slaves’

A white couple from West Virginia have been accused of child neglect after allegedly forcing their adopted black children to work as ‘slaves’ and locking them in a barn.

Donald Ray Lantz, 63, and Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, 62, pleaded not guilty at Kanawha County court on Tuesday to multiple charges, including human trafficking of a minor child, use of a minor child in forced labour, and child neglect creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death, according to local news outlet Metro News.

They also face allegations of human rights violations, over specifically targeting black children and forcing them to work because of their race, Metro News said.

Kanawha County circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers claimed that the children were “used basically as slaves”, citing what the indictment alleges.

The couple were first arrested in October 2023 after a wellness check led to the discovery of two of the couple’s five adopted children – aged six, nine, 11, 14 and 16 – living in inhumane conditions at a property in Sissonville.

In a previous statement made to the court, Whitefeather alleged that the barn where the 14 and 16-year-old were found in was a “teenage clubhouse” and denied that they were locked in.

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A nine-year-old girl was found inside the main house before Lantz came home with an 11-year-old boy and later, Whitefeather returned with a six-year-old.

Their bail has been set at $500,000 each, up from the previous amount of $200,000.

A trial date for the couple has been set for 9 September.

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West Virginia

Morrisey appoints Shane Stack to House District 4 seat – WV MetroNews

Published

5 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Morrisey appoints Shane Stack to House District 4 seat – WV MetroNews

Governor Patrick Morrisey (Photo/MetroNews)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Governor Patrick Morrisey has appointed a new member of the state House of Delegates.

Shane Thomas Stack, of Triadelphia, was appointed Tuesday to represent District 4. Stack replaces former Delegate Bill Flanigan who resigned to join the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia following his election to the Division 2 seat.

“Shane Stack is an outstanding choice to represent the families and communities of the fourth district,” Morrisey said in a release. “With his deep roots in the local community, his background as a business owner, and his proven experience managing municipal finances, Shane understands what it takes to support economic growth and advocate for working West Virginians. He will serve his constituents well in Charleston.”

In Morrisey’s release, it said that Stack has a diverse background in small business ownership, municipal finance, and higher education administration. Stack currently is the owner, licensed auctioneer, and certified appraiser for Frio Stack & Associates, as well as the owner of Island Pawn & Gun.

Stack previously worked as the Town Treasurer for West Liberty.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in General Business from West Liberty University.

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West Virginia

Sentencing for man convicted of murdering West Virginia State Trooper; other top stories

Published

15 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Sentencing for man convicted of murdering West Virginia State Trooper; other top stories

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Sentencing is underway for Timothy Kennedy, the man convicted of murdering West Virginia State Police Trooper Cory Maynard.

Trooper Maynard was shot to death in June 2023.

The jury found Kennedy guilty on all counts: first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree disarming a law enforcement officer, and two counts of first-degree attempted murder.

Shannon Litton has has that, plus your other top stories for Tuesday, July 7th.

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West Virginia

11 Marshall student athletes suing NCAA over new rule – WV MetroNews

Published

1 day ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

11 Marshall student athletes suing NCAA over new rule – WV MetroNews

Peyton Ilderton and Meredith Maier with the WNIT trophy (Photo from Bill Cornwell)

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Eleven players in various Marshall University sports are suing the NCAA over its new eligibility rule.

The student athletes are seeking an injunction in Cabell County Circuit Court over the new five years to play five seasons rule approved last month.

The lawsuit was first reported by the West Virginia Record.

The players say the new rule cuts them off because they graduated high school in 2022 and played four seasons and are now being denied a fifth season.

The lawsuit alleges the rule violated West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act and the covenant of fair dealing.

The players want to play again in the 2026–27 sports year.

The players include Meredith Maier, Peyton Ilderton, Dewain “Boogie” Trotter, Bryce Blevins, Cam Harthan, Bailey Fisher, Johanna Strom, Blessing King, Paige Simpson, Ryan Holmes, Momo Diop and Hannah Wyler.

The student athletes are represented by Beckley attorney Steve New.

Similar lawsuits have been filed in other states. The NCAA has said making another change would create chaos.

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