A Kentucky man who brutally stabbed 6-year-old Logan Tipton to death in 2015 has been released 13 years early after state law categorized his convictions as “non-violent,” sparking nationwide outrage and federal scrutiny.
Ronald Exantus, 42, broke into the Tipton family’s Woodford County home on December 7, 2015, and attacked the family while they slept. Investigators say Exantus stabbed young Logan multiple times, killing him, before turning on the boy’s father and sibling. Despite the savage nature of the crime, Exantus walked free this month after serving less than half of his 20-year sentence.
The Kentucky Parole Board said its hands were tied, citing a state statute that mandates release for inmates whose remaining convictions are considered “non-violent.” Exantus was found not guilty by reason of insanity for Logan’s murder and convicted instead on two counts of second-degree assault for attacking the child’s father and sibling.
“Every time it had the opportunity, the Parole Board recommended Ronald Exantus stay in prison,” the board said in a statement. “Despite this decision, Kentucky law required the Department of Corrections to release the inmate on Mandatory Reentry Supervision.”
Daily Wire host Matt Walsh, who has covered the case extensively, blasted the state’s legal framework. “He stabbed a child to death and then went on to assault the entire family, and yet he is ‘non-violent’ under the law because he was only convicted of second-degree assault,” Walsh said. “Apparently Ronald Exantus ‘non-violently’ stabbed a child to death and then stabbed the rest of the family after breaking into their home. If you think our criminal justice system is broken, you don’t even know the half of it.”
The case of the child killer who was paroled and released from prison is even more insane than you think. My team reached out to the parole board last night. We were told by their spokeswoman that under Kentucky law Logan’s killer, Ronald Exantus, is considered a “non-violent…
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) October 7, 2025
Exantus’ early release comes with parole conditions, though details remain unclear. The Tipton family says they were blindsided by the decision and are reliving their trauma nearly a decade later.
“It’s crazy — it’s brought back a lot of emotions that I thought were gone,” Logan’s father, Dean Tipton, said. “A lot of hurt, anguish. Whether he’s insane or not, he needs to be held accountable.”
The case has now drawn federal attention. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed over the weekend that President Trump’s administration is reviewing the matter. “It’s wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison,” Leavitt said.
I can confirm the White House is looking into this. It’s wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison. https://t.co/pOjKxvmrZV
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 4, 2025
Logan’s mother, Heather Tipton, told WKYT she’s grateful that the story is finally getting national attention. “My first reaction was, finally — people are finding out about this,” she said. “Ten years ago we tried to get the word out, but social media was not what it is now.”
The outrage over Exantus’ release has sparked renewed debate in Kentucky about reforming the state’s criminal code — particularly the laws that define violent versus non-violent offenses. Lawmakers in Frankfort are expected to take up the issue in the next legislative session.
The post Kentucky Man Who Killed 6-Year-Old Released Early After Being Classified as ‘Non-Violent’ Under State Law appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
