A convicted killer who fatally stabbed a 6-year-old boy in 2015 has been released early from prison under Kentucky’s mandatory reentry supervision program, prompting nationwide outrage.
Ronald Exantus, sentenced to 20 years, walked free despite prior parole denials, raising serious questions about public safety and the handling of violent offenders in the U.S. criminal justice system.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on X that the administration is reviewing the release.
“It’s wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison,” she wrote.
The crime occurred in December 2015 when Exantus broke into the Versailles, Kentucky home of Logan Tipton, armed with a kitchen knife.
He attacked Logan’s father, Dean Tipton and two sisters before stabbing the boy to death.
“When I got to the top of the stairs, he attacked me with a knife,” said Dean Tipton, describing the horrifying ordeal. “He stood up with me on top of him… and went after my daughter.”
Logan’s sister Dakota added, “He stabbed me in the back, and then stomped on my head… I looked and he was killing Logan and Logan was screaming.”
Exantus was found not guilty by reason of insanity for Logan’s death but guilty but mentally ill on the assault charges.
The Kentucky Supreme Court upheld the conviction in 2020, and the Parole Board denied parole in 2021, deferring a decision until 2023, WKYT reports.
Despite these denials, Kentucky law (KRS 439.3406) mandated his release under Mandatory Reentry Supervision, highlighting tension between statutory rules and public concern over violent offenders.
Exantus will remain under probation and parole supervision until June 2026.
The Tipton family has vocally opposed the release.
Heather Tipton, Logan’s mother, called for stricter safeguards.
“There needs to be something put in place that if people are violent and they say they’re insane and they are deemed insane, then there has got to be a place for these people.,” she said. “They cannot be out walking amongst us.”
Koral Tipton, Logan’s sister, added, “My brother will never be forgotten.”
The family is pushing legislation known as “Logan’s Law,” aimed at preventing violent offenders deemed insane from early release.
Conservative commentators have amplified the case online.
Matt Walsh described it as “one of the most heinous miscarriages of justice in American history,” pointing to disparities between sentences for violent offenders and nonviolent individuals, according to Townhall.
Exantus’ former attorney, Bridget Hofler, defended the release, noting his good behavior in prison and advocacy for mental health.
“The horrible thing about this is Ron did not intend to do any of this and Ron was insane when it happened. But yet, Logan is still dead and those children are still traumatized, and they will be until the day they die,” she said.
The White House review of Exantus’ early release highlights the delicate balance between rehabilitation, mental illness and accountability for violent crimes.
As the Tipton family continues to advocate for Logan’s Law, the case remains a flashpoint in debates over public safety, criminal justice and the limits of statutory early release programs.
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