GRAND RAPIDS, MI— A federal jury has convicted a L’Anse man of killing a toddler.
On February 19, 2024, the 19-month-old became unresponsive while in the sole custody of Eugene Rantanen, 37, on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Reservation. The child died on February 24.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge says based on the medical examiner’s testimony, the toddler had suffered blunt force trauma to the head. That caused significant injuries to the brain. Based on government-witness testimony at trial, the only plausible explanation for the toddler’s injuries was that Rantanen caused them.
Rantanen was convicted of murder and first-degree child abuse. He’ll be sentenced in the fall.
