White West Virginia couple allegedly kept five adopted black children 'locked in a barn and used as slaves' | US News

The couple has pleaded not guilty to several charges against them, including trafficking a minor child and using a minor child in forced labor.

A white West Virginia couple has been charged with 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 Tuesday in Kanawha County Court to several charges, including human trafficking of a minor child, use of a minor child in part of forced labor and child neglect creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death, according to local media outlet Metro News.

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

Kanawha County Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers said the children were “essentially used as slaves,” citing what the indictment alleges.

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

In a previous statement to the court, Whitefeather alleged the barn the 14- and 16-year-olds were found in was a “teenage clubhouse” and denied they were confined there.

Learn more:
Julian Assange officially admits espionage accusations
Crazy Town singer who sang Butterfly has died
Family sues NASA

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

Their bail was set at $500,000 each, up from $200,000.

The couple's trial date has been set for September 9.