Two West Virginia parents are awaiting trial on more than a dozen charges after adopting four Black children and allegedly using them for “forced labor” on their farm, court documents show.
Madison Tuck, assistant prosecuting attorney for Kanawha County, West Virginia, told CNN Wednesday that the trial is set to begin on September 9.
Tuck said the children are “all safe” but declined to give further details about their location.
Mark Plants, an attorney representing Whitefeather, told CNN Thursday that his client “absolutely, emphatically (denies) the allegations.”.
“We’re talking about two parents who adopted five Black children, has cared for them for the last eight years, and this is going to come out at trial.
Akers, referencing the indictment, said it alleges the children were “targeted because of their race” to be used “as basically slaves.”.
If there were a medical emergency or fire, the children would be unable to exit the locked room to safety,” the statement said. »
