The adopted Black children of a West Virginia couple are set to testify against their parents on allegations that they were treated as "slaves" during their stay with the pair.
Donald Lantz, 63, and Jeanne Whitefeather, 62, the white parents, are facing charges of child abuse, child neglect, forced labor, and human trafficking after two of their five children were found locked in a shed during a wellness check.
Three of the couple's children as well as their neighbors, will testify about the abuse and living conditions at home over the course of the trial, which is expected to last at least two weeks, per Independent UK.
Using the Children as 'Slaves'
Lantz and Whitefeather were accused of adopting five Black children aged 6 to 16 from a shelter for the homeless and vulnerable youths. They allegedly targeted the children specifically because of their race, according to NBC News, citing the 16-count indictment.
While living with the couple, the children were allegedly subjected to forced labor and treated as slaves, performing inappropriate farm labor under harsh conditions. The youth were also forced to live in deplorable conditions.
In their Washington home, for instance, the children were made to sleep in tents or a detached building. In their West Virginia home, two children were locked inside a barn with no running water or adequate hygiene facilities.
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"Neighbors also reported that the children were forced to perform farm labor and were not permitted inside the residence," the filing states, as reported by WV Metro News.
Furthermore, the children were subjected to physical and psychological abuse, including being struck with objects like PVC pipes, constantly pepper sprayed, and whipped.
What Has Happened During Their Trial?
The couple's trial is currently underway in West Virginia. During the court hearings, prosecutors noted that the couple had previously been investigated by the child protective services before they moved to West Virginia. They also claimed there were instances where the children attempted to run away but had always been returned by either the neighbors or professionals such as police and social workers, WCHS TV reported.
Jury selection began Monday.
