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Ronald Exantus’ early release from prison got the attention of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the White House, and even Elon Musk.
TAMPA, Fla. — A Kentucky “child killer” was arrested in Florida after his early release from prison drew widespread backlash, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Ronald Exantus was tried for the stabbing death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton during a random home invasion in 2015 in Versailles, Kentucky. A jury found him not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in 2018.
Exantus was still sentenced to 20 years in prison for injuring members of the 6-year-old boy’s family during the home invasion.
According to court records, Exantus was released on Oct. 1, 2025, after serving less than seven years of his 20-year sentence.
Ronald Exantus release draws attention of White House
News of his release got the attention of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said in a post on X that the White House was “looking into this.”
“It’s wholly unacceptable for a child killer to walk free after just several years in prison,” she wrote.
Exantus was taken into custody in Marion County on Wednesday night after deputies learned he had moved to Florida and didn’t register as a felon with the sheriff’s office, which is required by state law within the first 48 hours of moving. Officials said Exantus moved right next to an elementary school, which concerned them.
DeSantis, Elon Musk comment on Ronald Exantus’ arrest in Florida
“Unbelievable that this scum bag was let out of prison in Kentucky after serving a mere fraction of his sentence for murdering a six year old kid. Don’t mess with the Free State of Florida,” Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote in an X post.
At a news conference, the sheriff’s office public information officer, Paul Bloom, said there was a “loss of common sense in the judicial system in some places” when talking about Exantus’ early release.
Bloom also said Exantus is facing a violation of his probation in Kentucky.
“We don’t want him here,” Bloom said.
Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a X post that state officials are working to send Exantus back to Kentucky.
“My office has been working with State Attorney Gladson’s office in Marion County since we were alerted that this dangerous individual who murdered a child by repeatedly stabbing him in the head was in Florida,” the post read in part.
Elon Musk replied to Uthmeier’s post, saying, “This will save innocent lives.”
Exantus was placed into the Marion County Jail and is being held without bond.
C.J. Daniels from our sister station WHAS 11 contributed to this report.
