Kentucky Parole Board Members Face Death Threats After Child Killer’s Release Sparks Outrage
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY — Members of the Kentucky Parole Board have received death threats and harassment after the early release of a man convicted in a child’s brutal killing drew national condemnation — despite the board’s unanimous vote to keep him in prison.
According to the Kentucky State Police, parole board members’ personal information was leaked online, and threats of violence and death have been made against them and their families since the release of Ronald Exantus, 42, under a mandatory re-entry supervision law.
Board Members Opposed Release but Were Bound by State Law
In a statement from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, officials said the Parole Board had unanimously voted on September 30 to deny Exantus’ release. However, under Kentucky’s mandatory re-entry supervision law, he was legally required to be freed.
“Despite repeatedly voting for Ronald Exantus to remain in prison, Parole Board members have faced significant threats over the last several days,” said Parole Board Chair Ladeidra N. Jones. “Some even had their personal addresses released publicly.”
Officials emphasized that the board did not authorize Exantus’ release — the decision was the result of state legislation, not a discretionary action.
State police confirmed they are actively investigating the threats, warning that making violent threats is a crime punishable by jail time.
Convicted Killer’s Release Sparks Political Firestorm
Exantus, a former dialysis nurse from Indianapolis, drove to Versailles, Kentucky, in December 2015, where he broke into a family’s home and killed 6-year-old Logan Tipton with a butcher knife. He also injured the child’s father and another sibling during the attack.
A jury in Lexington found Exantus not guilty of murder and burglary by reason of insanity, but guilty but mentally ill on two assault charges. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and his conviction was upheld by the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2020.
After serving seven years, Exantus was released on October 1, with records showing he will remain under supervised parole until June 18, 2026, in another state. Violating his conditions could send him back to prison.
White House and Commentators Respond
The case ignited a national political outcry after right-wing commentator Matt Walsh called the release “one of the most heinous miscarriages of justice in American history.”
In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted Walsh’s statement on X (formerly Twitter), adding,
“It’s wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison. The White House is looking into this.”
Officials within Kentucky’s Justice Cabinet urged the public to focus on facts rather than outrage, noting that political misinformation had fueled the online harassment of parole board members.
“At a time when political violence is on the rise, it’s more important than ever that information shared is accurate and that threats like these are taken seriously,” the department’s release stated.
The Kentucky State Police continue to investigate the threats while monitoring online activity tied to the case. Officials warn that spreading false information and making threats could lead to federal charges.
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