Kentucky lawmakers file bill honoring Logan Tipton, changing parole eligibility rules

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky lawmakers have filed legislation honoring six-year-old Logan Tipton, who was killed in his Versailles home more than a decade ago.

It was filed Friday.

According to legislators, House Bill 422 would increase the minimum amount of time certain offenders must serve before becoming eligible for parole.

The bill would also raise parole eligibility for life sentences from 25 years to 35 years and limit early release options for violent and high-level felony offenders. That includes changes to mandatory re-entry supervision, a program that allows some inmates to be released under supervision before completing their full sentence.

Lawmakers say mandatory re-entry supervision is how Ronald Exantus was released from prison in October of last year, despite the parole board denying his release three times.

Exantus was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the stabbing death of Logan Tipton. Following his release, Exantus was later arrested in Florida and returned to Kentucky, where he remains in custody.

Supporters of the bill say the proposed changes are aimed at strengthening public safety and ensuring violent offenders serve longer portions of their sentences before being considered for release.