this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2025
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Summary

A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Lantz, received prison sentences of 215 and 160 years, respectively, for forcing their five adopted Black children into slave labor.

Authorities discovered the abuse after a welfare check revealed children locked in a shed without water or sanitation.

The couple, charged with human trafficking, child neglect, and forced labor, targeted the children because of their race.

The court ordered them to pay $280,000 in restitution each.

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[–] Formfiller@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

Sounds like they’re heading for a pardon and a cabinet position soon

[–] Dropper_Post@lemm.ee -1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

it is funny that nobody finds this funny.

[–] Arbiter@lemmy.world 225 points 1 week ago (3 children)

“I just want the court to know that I have made mistakes I am very sorry for that and I love my children and I have never, ever, done anything to my ... children to harm them intentionally,”

So what, you just accidentally locked them in a shed and forced them into slave labor? What the fuck is this apology.

[–] Adulated_Aspersion@lemmy.world 100 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I wonder if they have biological children and meant them.

Source: haven't read the article.

Edit: read the article. Still don't know.

[–] NobodyElse@sh.itjust.works 81 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’m just surprised that the apology didn’t mention Jesus even once.

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 29 points 1 week ago

Brain farts and prayers

[–] NateNate60@lemmy.world 54 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Even though by the time the hearing commences, the judge has already usually decided on the sentence, every competent criminal defence lawyer will advise their client to grovel and beg for mercy at the sentencing for two reasons:

  1. Acting recalcitrant could upset the judge and result in a heavier sentence than the judge originally planned because they feel a need to make an example of the defendant.
  2. Not being apologetic damages your future chances of parole when the parole board looks at the tape or record of the sentencing.
[–] Tedesche@lemmy.world 33 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Ah, yes, the parole they might receive when the parole board reviews their case in [checks watch] 80-100 years.

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[–] Mog_fanatic@lemmy.world 182 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

“You brought these kids to West Virginia, a place as I know as almost heaven and put them in hell. The court will now put you in yours. May God have mercy on your souls, because this court will not."

Circuit Court Judge MaryClaire Akers

That's kinda fire actually

[–] Mirshe@lemmy.world 85 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Reminder that West Virginia exists exclusively because of slavery. Especially that part of Appalachia was a HUGE haven for self emancipated people and free black people alike, because if you get deep enough into the mountains, you basically cease to exist as a legal entity unless people want to put a significant amount of effort into reaching you and the same amount in extricating you.

[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 43 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It was also arguably the heart of Ol' John Browns crusade against twisted institution of slavery. I usually find Evangelicals both living and dead to be morally reprehensible weaklings who take their own gods name in vain, John Brown is one of the few I would be willing to shake the hand of.

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 3 points 6 days ago

John Brown did nothing wrong.

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[–] GrymEdm@lemmy.world 118 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)
[–] WuceBrillis@lemm.ee 23 points 1 week ago (1 children)

When they change illegal immigration to be a felony, all those people in the deportation camps can legally be put right back in use!

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[–] YtA4QCam2A9j7EfTgHrH@infosec.pub 98 points 1 week ago (13 children)
[–] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 81 points 1 week ago (2 children)

John brown smiles upon you:

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 35 points 1 week ago (2 children)

John brown did nothing wrong

[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 25 points 1 week ago (2 children)

He did a lot wrong, but the failure to ensure adequate equipment and training for his troops is to a degree expected when running a guerrilla crusade.

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[–] WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com 67 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 88 points 1 week ago (17 children)

Watch donald pardon them and give them a job doing ethics or bs. He wants outrage

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 33 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Donnie just found his new education secretary.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 22 points 1 week ago

That asshole would probably put them in as Secretary of Labor.

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 points 1 week ago (3 children)

As long as this was a state affair, he can't legally pardon them.

[–] Trainguyrom@reddthat.com 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

All he has to do is apply sufficient political pressure upon the governor to make the pardon happen. It's more work for a state level concern but ultimately it's plausible if the current Republican administration is sufficiently motivated

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 days ago

Excellent point.

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[–] Mog_fanatic@lemmy.world 18 points 1 week ago

Lol "I'd like to formally announce the new head of The Office of Child Care..."

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[–] AlecSadler@sh.itjust.works 33 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] rustyfish@lemmy.world 32 points 1 week ago (4 children)

It takes a cartoonish level of cruelty that your verdict sounds like a made up rage bait article that tries way too hard.

Fuck you. I hope they get the same treatment as kiddy fiddlers in prison.

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[–] _druid@sh.itjust.works 27 points 1 week ago

They could have just worked for the prison system, then they'd get a regular paycheck to enforce slavery.

[–] Gates9@sh.itjust.works 26 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Movie name?

I think that’s the one where his daughter was raped

[–] root_beer@midwest.social 1 points 5 days ago

A Time to Kill

[–] LaterRedditor@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago (6 children)
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[–] wirebeads@lemmy.ca 20 points 1 week ago (2 children)

This is great news for all. The parents rot in a cell and hopefully get shoved by other black prisoners once they find out what they did.

I hope the government put services in place to help rehabilitate and provide those children with the mental heath and support they’ll need.

[–] luciferofastora@feddit.org 1 points 5 days ago

I hope the government put services in place to help rehabilitate and provide those children with the mental heath and support they’ll need.

Why would it? Wait for them to turn criminal out of desperation and you've got a reason to ~~enslave them~~ throw them into prison where you can legally force them to work

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