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Family of Slain 6-Year-Old Demands More Reform After Killer’s Release

The Kentucky father of a 6-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in his own bed says justice was never served after the man responsible was released from prison last week, reigniting debate over the state's criminal…

Andrew PowellAug 5, 20263 min read

Faith Kentucky Murder U.S. News

The Kentucky father of a 6-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in his own bed says justice was never served after the man responsible was released from prison last week, reigniting debate over the state's criminal justice system.

According to Fox News, Ronald Exantus was released from Kentucky Department of Corrections custody on July 29 after completing the sentence he received for assaulting members of the Tipton family during a 2015 home invasion.

Although Exantus was found not guilty by reason of insanity on Murder and burglary charges in the death of Logan Tipton, a jury convicted him as guilty but mentally ill on assault charges involving Logan’s father and two sisters.

The assault convictions carried a prison sentence that expired this year.

Logan’s father, Dean Tipton, expressed outrage after learning Exantus had been released.

"The judge and jury gave this monster a slap on the wrist while handing down a life sentence to my family," Tipton wrote on Facebook.

He also warned others to remain vigilant, saying Exantus was once again free.

The Kentucky Department of Corrections said Exantus completed the sentence imposed by the court and was released only after reaching the legally calculated expiration date.

Officials stressed he was not granted early release and that the Kentucky Parole Board did not authorize his freedom.

According to the department, Exantus had briefly been placed on mandatory reentry supervision in 2025 but was returned to prison after violating the terms of that supervision in Florida.

He remained incarcerated until completing the remainder of his sentence.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman previously urged the Parole Board to revoke Exantus' supervision after the violation, calling Logan's death "every parent's worst nightmare."

The board agreed, keeping Exantus behind bars until his sentence ended.

The case prompted Kentucky lawmakers to pass House Bill 422, known as Logan's Law, which Gov. Andy Beshear signed earlier this year.

The legislation changed Kentucky's insanity defense and mandatory reentry supervision laws in response to issues raised by Exantus' case.

Because the law does not apply retroactively, it had no effect on Exantus' release.

State Reps. Daniel Fister and T.J. Roberts, who helped champion the legislation, said Logan's Law was an important first step but pledged to pursue additional reforms.

Roberts called Exantus' release "a gross miscarriage of justice," while Fister said lawmakers must continue strengthening protections for victims and their families.

For Dean Tipton, the release has reopened wounds that never healed.

"Knowing that this monster gets to walk free and live his life, while I lay in this bed and my baby boy is in the grave," he wrote.

The Tipton family has launched a fundraising campaign to support additional legal efforts and continue advocating for further changes to Kentucky's criminal justice laws.

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