Bond increased for Sissonville couple accused of locking children in barn

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — A man and a woman accused of locking their adopted children in a Sissonville barn have had their bond increased.

Donald Lantz and Jeanne Whitefeather , both arrested in October 2023, appeared in a court hearing Tuesday where the judge decided to increase their initial cash bond of $200,000 each to $500,000 each. During the hearing, the two pleaded not guilty.

The couple were arrested after two of their children were found locked in a barn with no utilities or means of leaving, and a third child was found in an unprotected loft in the home.

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

Both Lantz and Whitefeather are in jail at this time with their next court appearance scheduled for Sept. 9.

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