Opening of a civil case against the Sissonville couple for the payment of bail linked to possible human trafficking

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WOWK) – A civil case has been filed regarding a man and woman accused of keeping children locked in a barn.

Donald Lantz and Jeanne Whitefeather were indicted last month on charges of human trafficking of a minor child; civil rights violations based on color, race, and/or ancestry; use of minor children in forced labor; child neglect creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death; and false swearing.

Both were arrested in October 2023 after two of their foster children were found in a locked barn with no running water, working toilet or way to escape, and a third child was found in an unprotected loft in the home.

Both men were released on $400,000 cash bail in February.

But Kanawha County District Attorney Chris Krivonyak says they used money from profits made by violating human trafficking laws.

According to circuit court records, Lantz and Whitefeather sold a ranch they owned in Washington state for $725,000. The sale closed on February 2. Three days later, both men posted bond.

On March 28, they sold their Sissonville home, the same house where the children were found locked in a barn, for $295,000.

Krivonyak's filing says all of those funds could be seized by the state because Lantz and Whitefeather's five adopted children were at both properties during periods of suspected human trafficking.

The civil case was opened with a complaint for forfeiture on May 28. Lantz and Whitefeather have 30 days to file a counterclaim, after which litigation, or even a trial, could take place.

Although they would not face additional criminal charges, the proceeds from their two property sales could be seized by the state depending on the outcome of the civil case.

As for their ongoing criminal case, Lantz and Whiteweather are scheduled to reappear in Kanawha County Circuit Court on June 11.