Dad blocked mom from giving away 19-month-old son to ‘loving family,’ then beat him to death while she was at work

A Michigan father will die behind bars after being handed a life sentence Monday for the murder and “horrendous treatment” of his 19-month-old son, who was pummeled to death after the boy’s mother “arranged for him to be adopted by a loving family,” federal prosecutors say.

Eugene Rantanen, 37, of L’Anse, was convicted earlier this year of murder and first-degree child abuse for the death of his son, Carter, who was living with him on tribal land in the state’s Upper Peninsula. He was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney, who doled out the harshest punishment possible, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan — stating that the sentence “will do justice,” per a DOJ press release.

“The evidence at trial showed that Rantanen had care and custody of his minor son, Carter, on the night of February 19, 2024,” the release says. “The two were alone at their home on the L’Anse Reservation of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community when Rantanen called 911 to report that the 19-month-old boy was not breathing.”

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According to the federal complaint, Rantanen told the 911 dispatcher that he found Carter “not breathing” and “slumped over the bed.” He claimed to have left the child on the bed “for a nap” and reported “cuts” that he could see on Carter’s tongue. The boy regained consciousness and was rushed to a hospital, where medical staff observed bruising to Carter’s head, torso, and “other regions.” A CT scan revealed internal bleeding and the bruising “appeared consistent with marks from fingertips,” the complaint alleged.

A doctor questioned Rantanen, who is a registered sex offender, about what happened and he insisted that Carter “was fine” when he went down for the nap.

“Rantanen came back five minutes later and observed victim sitting up, slumped over, and limp,” the complaint said. “Rantanen picked up victim, noticed victim was not breathing at all, and called 911.”

According to Rantanen, Carter had been sick with a respiratory illness and was scheduled for a medical appointment “in the near future.” The boy’s mother told investigators that she came home between work shifts on the day of his death to say “hi” to him and Rantanen, and Carter seemed completely fine.

“Victim was eating and doing well,” the complaint said, citing interview statements from Carter’s mom.

First responders and doctors tried “rapid and extensive medical intervention” involving three different medical centers following Carter’s hospitalization, but he would eventually succumb to his head injuries on Feb. 24, 2024, according to prosecutors. Local medical providers testified during Rantanen’s trial that Carter had suffered from “abusive assault and inflicted trauma,” with the medical examiner determining that Carter’s cause of death was blunt-force trauma and the manner of death was homicide. A mattress belonging to a “pack and play” was found inside Rantanen’s home that contained “suspected blood,” per the complaint.

The attorney’s office reported in May 2025 that Carter suffered “severe brain injuries” at the hands of Rantanen.

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“Based on the nature of Carter’s injuries, the government argued that Rantanen was the only person with means and opportunity to commit the murder,” prosecutors said Monday. “The jury agreed, convicting Rantanen of both counts.”

U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey says Rantanen abused and neglected Carter before eventually killing him.

“This toddler’s life was tragic,” VerHey said in the release. “His birth mother had arranged for him to be adopted by a loving family, but Rantanen insisted on having custody of Carter and all evidence suggests that, instead of loving and doting on and caring for Carter, Rantanen subjected him to months of abuse and neglect.”

The Justice Department says Carter’s prosecution is an example of the DOJ’s ongoing work to combat the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Crisis, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs applauding everyone involved for helping to put Rantanen behind bars.

“For decades, Native American and Alaska Native communities have struggled with high rates of assault, abduction, and murder of tribal members,” the bureau’s website says.

“The conviction of Eugene Rantanen further ensures the public that this child predator and murderer will never again have the opportunity to harm another innocent young soul,” said Reuben Coleman, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, in a statement Monday. “To the family and loved ones of the innocent child, I extend my deepest condolences. The FBI in Michigan remains unwavering in protecting our children and reassuring our communities that justice will be served.”

Court records show Rantanen has already filed for an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. His lawyer did not respond to Law&Crime’s requests for comment.

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