Eugene Walter-George Rantanen, 37, of L’Anse, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder and first-degree child abuse of his 19-month-old son, Carter. The sentencing was announced by Timothy VerHey, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.
U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney presided over the case and stated during sentencing that the punishment “will do justice” considering the “horrendous treatment” inflicted on Carter.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that Rantanen had custody of Carter on February 19, 2024, at their home on the L’Anse Reservation of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Rantanen called emergency services that night to report his son was not breathing. Despite medical efforts across three hospitals, Carter died from head injuries five days later. Medical testimony concluded that Carter’s death resulted from abusive assault and blunt-force trauma, which was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. Prosecutors argued that Rantanen was solely responsible due to being alone with the child at the time of injury; a jury convicted him on both counts.
“This toddler’s life was tragic. His birth mother had arranged for him to be adopted by a loving family, but Rantanen insisted on having custody of Carter and all evidence suggests that, instead of loving and doting on and caring for Carter, Rantanen subjected him to months of abuse and neglect,” said U.S. Attorney VerHey. “Although this sentence will not bring this little boy back, we hope it provides some measure of justice and comfort to those who loved Carter, including his birth mother, adoptive parents, and family. My office will work tirelessly, even in difficult cases, to see that offenders are held accountable and justice is done.”
Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office added: “The conviction of Eugene Rantanen further ensures the public that this child predator and murderer will never again have the opportunity to harm another innocent young soul. I would like to first thank our dedicated team out of the FBI Marquette Resident Agency, whose tireless efforts made this outcome possible. This success was the result of our close partnership with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Police, Village L’Anse Police, Baraga County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. To the family and loved ones of the innocent child, I extend my deepest condolences. The FBI in Michigan remains unwavering in protecting our children and reassuring our communities that justice will be served.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI Detroit Field Office's Marquette Resident Agency as well as local tribal police departments and sheriff’s offices.
This prosecution aligns with broader Department of Justice efforts addressing high rates of violence against Native American communities as part of initiatives responding to missing and murdered indigenous persons (MMIP). According to information from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native American communities have faced persistent challenges related to assault and homicide due in part to historical government policies affecting these populations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexis M. Sanford, Jeanne F. Long, and Theodore J. Greeley led prosecution efforts in this case.
