White couple accused of treating adopted Black kids as 'slaves' found guilty of forced labour, human trafficking

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. They adopted the five siblings while living in Minnesota, moved to a farm in Washington state in 2018, and then brought the family to West Virginia in May 2023, when the children ranged in age from 5 to 16. open image in gallery Police found two children locked inside a barn in October 2023 The couple was arrested in October 2023 after neighbours saw Lantz lock the oldest girl and her teenage brother in a shed and leave the property. open image in gallery Lantz and Whitefeather walk into the courtroom with Kanawha County Sheriff Deputy Matthew Dingess for the first day of trial on January 14 “These kids weren’t there to be raised as children, but served another purpose entirely,” Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Krivonyak said in his closing arguments. “Look at them.” The defence argued the couple was simply overwhelmed by trying to get help for the children’s ongoing 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.” Tuck said the couple never drove the oldest boy for help for his mental health issues in West Virginia, where there was a behavioral health clinic four minutes from their home.