A Michigan man has been convicted in connection with the death of a 19-month-old child, officials said.
Eugene Walter-George Rantanen, 37, of L’Anse, was found guilty of murder and first-degree child abuse, according to a release from Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Byerly Birge.
On Feb. 19, 2024, the 19-month-old became unresponsive while in the custody of Rantanen at the L’Anse Reservation of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, which is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Despite extensive medical intervention, the toddler died on Feb. 24, 2024.
During Rantanen’s trial, the medical examiner testified that the child had significant brain injuries after suffering blunt force trauma to the head.
“Based on government-witness testimony at trial, the only plausible explanation for the toddler’s injuries was that Rantanen caused the severe brain injuries,” according to the release.
Rantanen is scheduled to be sentenced in the fall.
“This conviction confirms that Eugene Rantanen will no longer pose a threat to anyone, especially our children,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “This outcome results from a thorough and cooperative investigation with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Police, the Village of L’Anse Police, the Baraga County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan State Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. I extend my deepest condolences to those who truly loved the young victim—no one should ever have to endure such a heartbreaking loss.”
This work is part of the Department of Justice’s work to address the missing and murdered indigenous persons (MMIP) crisis. For more information, visit here.