In a tragic incident in the US state of West Virginia, it was alleged that a white couple mistreated and enslaved five black children they adopted. The charges are against the couple, 62-year-old Jeanne Whitefeather and 63-year-old Donald Lantz.
Prosecutors allege the couple kept five children, ages 6 to 16, whom they adopted from a shelter for homeless and vulnerable youth, locked in a barn and used them as slaves. In the indictment, serious accusations were made against the couple, such as “human trafficking”, “child neglect”, “slavery” and “forced labor”.
According to the news in the local media, it is stated that children are forced to work on farms and are not even allowed to enter the house. Kanawha County District Judge Maryclaire Akers emphasized that human rights violations were clearly visible in this case and that the children were targeted because of their race.
The incident was discovered during a welfare check. It was determined that the children were locked in a small room in the barn and that their basic needs were not met. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department described the children’s condition as “inhumane.”
Whitefeather and Lantz couple, who were detained following the accused, denied the accusations. The investigation continues.
