The family of 6-year-old Logan Tipton and Kentucky officials reacted with outrage after Ronald Exantus was released early from a 20-year sentence following roughly nine years of credited time and then arrested eight days later in Florida for failing to register as a convicted felon. Exantus was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity but was convicted on other assault charges tied to the 2015 home invasion. The case has prompted scrutiny of Kentucky’s sentence-credit practices and renewed calls for reforms, including a proposed "Logan’s Law" to tighten reentry supervision and address split-verdict cases.
Kentucky Family Outraged After Man Released Early In 2015 Child Killing Case Is Arrested Days Later
Kentucky child killer walks free on 'good behavior,' gets arrested again within days
Ronald Exantus, 42, of Indianapolis, who was serving a 20-year sentence tied to the 2015 fatal stabbing of 6-year-old Logan Tipton during a Versailles, Kentucky, home invasion, was released early in October after accumulating sentence credits and was arrested eight days after relocating to Florida for failing to register as a convicted felon.
At trial, a jury found Exantus not guilty of murder by reason of insanity despite his confession, but convicted him on multiple assault charges related to the attack on Logan's family. Officials say he was freed on Oct. 1 after credits reduced his sentence by roughly nine years.
Ronald Exantus, 42, served eight years of a 20-year sentence after being found guilty of assault.
Arrest and Extradition
Exantus moved to Marion County, Florida, and was arrested there eight days later after authorities say he failed to register with the local sheriff’s office within 48 hours of arrival, a condition of his parole. He has since been extradited back to Kentucky. Depending on how custody credits and parole conditions are resolved, he could potentially be released again next year without parole restrictions.
Logan Tipton, 6, right, was stabbed to death while sleeping in his Kentucky home. His killer, Ronald Exantus, 42, left, was released early in October, only to be arrested days later.
Sentence Credits and Controversy
Reporting on the case indicates Exantus earned about five years for good behavior, roughly two years for "exceptional meritorious service," and about 10 months for completing educational programs — reductions officials say totaled around nine years of his original 20-year term. Prosecutors and victims’ families have sharply criticized how credits are awarded and the transparency of the state’s process.
Ronald Exantus mug
“Something needs to be changed because it cannot be that easy. You’ve committed a very heinous crime, and it’s just given to you,”
— Kora Tipton, sister of Logan Tipton
Logan’s father, Dean Tipton, told WKYT-TV: “There’s no reason for any of us to ever have to walk down the street and possibly see our son’s murderer.”
Ronnie Bowling, a prosecutor and president of the Kentucky Commonwealth's Attorneys' Association, called for greater transparency on credits and cited other cases in which inmates received reductions for educational activities.
Six-year-old Logan Tipton was murdered while sleeping in his Kentucky home. His family is sickened by the early release of his killer.
Political Reaction and Proposed Legislation
At the time of the release, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was reviewing the situation and called it unacceptable for a child killer to be freed after only a few years behind bars. In Kentucky, state Rep. T.J. Roberts responded by proposing "Logan’s Law," legislation aimed at tightening reentry supervision and preventing split verdicts on sanity for related charges when multiple counts arise from the same incident.
The case has renewed calls from families, prosecutors, and lawmakers for clearer rules on the award of sentence credits, greater transparency in parole decisions, and stronger supervision of those released early from custody.
