Kentucky Man Who Killed 6-Year-Old Logan Tipton Admits to Violating Early Release Terms After Arrest in Florida
VERSAILLES, KENTUCKY — The man who confessed to killing six-year-old Logan Tipton in his sleep nearly a decade ago has admitted to violating the conditions of his early release, according to state officials.
Ronald Exantus, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity for Logan’s murder in 2015, confessed to the killing during trial but was committed to the Kentucky Department of Corrections for related assault convictions. Exantus was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for assaulting Logan’s sisters and father during the same violent incident.
However, officials confirmed this week that Exantus has now admitted to breaking his early release terms following a new arrest in Florida.
Violation and Arrest in Florida
According to Morgan Hall, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Exantus admitted to violating his release conditions after being taken into custody by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
Authorities said Exantus failed to register as a felon within 48 hours of being notified of the requirement—a serious violation under the terms of his supervised release.
Hall confirmed that no final revocation hearing will be held, but the Kentucky Parole Board will conduct a file review on November 20 to determine how much of his remaining 20-year sentence Exantus will be required to serve.
“The decision in writing will be made public once final,” Hall added.
Controversy Over Early Release
Exantus’ early release sparked outrage across Kentucky earlier this year, especially among Logan Tipton’s family and supporters.
Although the Kentucky Parole Board repeatedly voted to keep Exantus imprisoned, a combination of good behavior credits and an early supervised release program under state law allowed him to be freed before serving even half of his 20-year sentence.
The release led to widespread backlash and death threats against parole board members, after misinformation spread online falsely suggesting that the board had approved his freedom.
Lawmakers Push for Reform
Following public outcry, Kentucky lawmakers have pledged to ensure cases like Exantus’ are never repeated. Under the new Safe Kentucky Act, offenders with violent or sexual convictions would be required to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for release — meaning Exantus would not have qualified for early release under the updated law.
In addition, Logan Tipton’s family is advocating for “Logan’s Law,” a proposed measure that would require defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity to be transferred directly to secure mental health facilities rather than released into community supervision.
The law would also prevent juries from declaring a defendant insane for one crime while holding them criminally responsible for another in the same case — a loophole that played a major role in Exantus’ sentencing outcome.
Background: The 2015 Murder of Logan Tipton
In December 2015, Ronald Exantus broke into the Tipton family’s home in Versailles, Kentucky, and stabbed six-year-old Logan Tipton to death as the child slept in his bed. Exantus also attacked Logan’s sisters and father, Dean Tipton, before being subdued.
During trial, Exantus confessed to the killing but was found not guilty of murder due to insanity, a decision that drew widespread criticism and prompted calls for reform.
What Comes Next
Exantus remains in custody as Kentucky’s Parole Board reviews his file. The upcoming decision will determine whether he returns to prison to serve the remainder of his 20-year sentence or faces additional penalties for violating his release.
For Logan Tipton’s family, the case remains a painful reminder of a system they believe still fails victims.
“Justice shouldn’t end when the headlines fade,” said one family supporter in a public statement earlier this year. “Logan’s Law is about making sure no other family has to live through what we did.”
Stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com for continuing coverage of Kentucky’s justice reform and updates on Logan’s Law and parole board decisions.