Marion County, Florida, October 12, 2025
News Summary
Ronald Exantus, a felon involved in the fatal stabbing of a child, has been rearrested in Marion County, Florida, for failing to register as a felon. Exantus, previously sentenced to 20 years, had been released early under a Kentucky law aimed at reducing recidivism. His proximity to an elementary school raised community alarm, leading to swift action from local authorities. Exantus is currently held in Marion County Jail, awaiting extradition back to Kentucky amidst public concern about his threats and release.
Marion County, Florida
Ronald Exantus, a 42-year-old felon involved in the fatal stabbing of a young child, has been rearrested in Florida for failing to register as a felon. His arrest occurred on Thursday in Marion County, where he reportedly resided near an elementary school, sparking community alarm.
Exantus had been released from a Kentucky prison on October 1 after serving less than half of a 20-year sentence for assaulting several family members, including 6-year-old Logan Tipton, during a home invasion in 2015. Although he was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity, he admitted to using a butcher knife from the victim’s kitchen to carry out the attack. Following the incident, Exantus was housed at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center.
Release and Supervision Details
Exantus was sentenced to 20 years in prison but was granted early release due to a 2012 Kentucky law aimed at reducing recidivism, which allows for mandatory re-entry supervision. His eligibility for this early release was based on good behavior and the credits he earned for participating in prison activities. Once released from prison, Exantus moved to Florida and was placed under supervision until June.
Florida law requires convicted felons to register with the county sheriff’s office within 48 hours of moving into a new county. Exantus, however, failed to register upon his arrival in Florida, leading to his arrest.
Community Response and Legal Proceedings
Authorities in Marion County acted swiftly to locate and arrest Exantus. Local law enforcement expressed pride in their response, while Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier mentioned ongoing efforts to extradite Exantus back to Kentucky. He is currently being held in Marion County Jail without bond as he awaits extradition.
Exantus’ release from prison has raised significant public concern, especially given his proximity to schools and residential neighborhoods. The Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, reported facing violent threats against members of the Parole Board related to Exantus’ release. He clarified that the Parole Board unanimously recommended that Exantus remain in prison but lacked the authority to prevent his release.
Public outrage over Exantus’ early release has been exacerbated by statements from officials condemning the situation as “wholly unacceptable.” Many community members expressed fear and concern regarding the safety of children in the area.
Investigation and Next Steps
Currently, the FBI and Kentucky State Police are investigating threats made against the Parole Board members, reflecting the broader public anxiety surrounding Exantus’ release and subsequent arrest. Exantus had effectively cut nearly 13 years off his original sentence due to various factors, including good behavior and pre-sentencing jail time.
As authorities take the necessary steps to address this case and ensure public safety, the community remains vigilant and concerned about the implications of his actions and the legal responses involved in managing high-risk individuals.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Individual | Ronald Exantus, 42 years old |
| Crime | Stabbing death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton during a home invasion |
| Original Sentence | 20 years in prison |
| Time Served | Less than 10 years |
| Charges Upon Release | Failure to register as a felon |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ronald Exantus convicted of?
Ronald Exantus was convicted of assaulting family members after fatally stabbing 6-year-old Logan Tipton during a home invasion.
Why was Exantus released from prison early?
Exantus was released early due to good behavior and participation in prison activities, as well as a Kentucky law aimed at reducing recidivism.
What happened after Exantus moved to Florida?
After moving to Florida, Exantus failed to register as a felon, which led to his arrest in Marion County.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Family Outraged by Release of Man Convicted in Child’s Stabbing Death
Tragic Death of Telemundo Reporter Adan Manzano
Additional Resources
- Fox35 Orlando
- Wikipedia: Marion County, Florida
- New York Post
- Google Search: Ronald Exantus
- WESH
- Google Scholar: Ronald Exantus
- WHAS11
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ronald Exantus
- WLKY
- Google News: Ronald Exantus
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
