Kentucky ‘child killer’ found living near Marion Oaks elementary school, deputies say

A convicted felon, who was previously charged in the stabbing death of a six-year-old child in Kentucky, has been arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for failing to register as a felon in Marion County after he was found living near an elementary school in Marion Oaks.

On Thursday, October 9, MCSO launched an investigation after learning that a convicted felon, identified as 42-year-old Ronald Exantus, had recently relocated from Kentucky to Florida and was possibly residing in Marion County, according to the sheriff’s office.

The arrest report stated that Exantus had been issued a Florida driver’s license on Friday, October 3, and his address was listed at 14790 SW 43rd Terrace Road in Marion Oaks. Deputies responded to that residence, where they made contact with Exantus and placed him under arrest.

MCSO stated that the home Exantus was residing in was “immediately adjacent to Sunrise Elementary School and just a few blocks away from Horizon Academy.”

Back in 2015, Exantus was charged in the stabbing death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton in Versailles, Kentucky. During a trial that was held in 2018, jurors convicted Exantus on assault charges, but he was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.

After serving less than half of his 20-year prison sentence, Exantus was placed on parole and released from custody. Within a week of his release, Exantus was located at the Marion Oaks residence, and he was arrested for failing to register as a felon with MCSO within 48 hours as required of law.

 “I am proud of the quick response by my deputies and the inter-agency teamwork that helped locate and arrest this disgusting individual,” said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. “The fact that he was living right next to an elementary school is even more repulsive. I have no tolerance for this type of dangerous person flaunting our laws and thinking he would hide out in our county.”

Marion County Jail records show that Exantus remains in custody without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 27.