A couple in the US received 375 years in prison for enslaving 5 adopted children
Kyiv • UNN
A couple from West Virginia forced five adopted children to work on a farm as "slaves" for years. They were sentenced to 215 and 160 years in prison.
A couple from West Virginia, USA, has been sentenced to hundreds of years in prison for forcing their five adopted black children to work on their farm as "slaves".
UNN reports with reference to The Associated Press.
In the United States, a white couple from West Virginia has been found guilty of forcing their five adopted black children to work as "slaves" on their farm. 63-year-old Jean Kay Whitefeather was sentenced on Wednesday to 215 years in prison. Her husband, 64-year-old Donald Lanz, received 160 years.
You brought these children to West Virginia, a place I know as "almost heaven", and sent them to hell. Now this court will send them to your hell
Reference
The Whitefeather-Lanz couple adopted children from a shelter for homeless and vulnerable young people. At that time, both lived in the state of Minnesota. In 2018, they moved the children to Washington State, and in 2023 to West Virginia, The Associated Press reports.
The couple's actions were exposed in October 2023 after Kanawa County Sheriff's deputies came to the house to conduct a welfare check. A neighbor reported seeing Lanz lock a girl and her teenage brother in a shed and leave.
The sheriff's office said the two children in the shed had no plumbing or bathroom and were "deprived of proper hygiene and food."
The children said they slept on the concrete floor and were locked inside for about 12 hours before they were found. Another girl was found inside the house.
Whitefeather apologized to the children during the sentencing.
I just want the court to know that I made mistakes, I am very sorry for it, and I love my children, and I have never, ever, done anything with my... children to intentionally harm them. Children, I love you very much
The oldest child told Whitefeather and Lanz in her statement that they were "monsters," the news channel reports.
I will be something amazing. I will be strong and beautiful. And you will always be who you are - terrible,
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