Vigil held for 6-year old stabbing victim

VERSAILLES, Ky. (WTVQ) – Hundreds of people gathered Monday night on a football field in Versailles for an emotional vigil for a 6-year old stabbing victim. There were songs and prayers and a heartfelt thank you to those in attendance from the victim’s grief-stricken parents.

Versailles Police say around 4:00 a.m. Monday, a man went into a home on Douglas Avenue, took a knife from the kitchen, went upstairs and stabbed Logan Tipton, repeatedly, in the head while he slept.

Investigators say the man attacked two other children and the father, but the father was able to eventually stop him and held him until officers arrived. Police arrested 32-year old Ronald Exantus, a registered nurse from Indianapolis. The police citation says Exantus confessed to the stabbing.

Investigators believe Exantus is a total stranger to the family and was just passing through Versailles. They say it’s not clear why he picked the Tipton’s home.

Exantus wore a bullet-proof vest and was escorted under heavy security by nearly a dozen officers during his court appearance to answer to murder and burglary charges.

He was assigned a public defender and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. His lawyer says she feels certain that he’s mentally ill.

A judge set Exantus’ bond at $1 million. He’s due back in court December 14, 2015.

Exantus’ Facebook page says he’s from Coral Springs, Florida, but was working as a Dialysis RN at Fresenius Medical Care in Northeast Indiana. The company says Exantus has been “released from employment.”

Logan Tipton was a popular kindergartner at Simmons Elementary in Woodford County. Grief counselors were on hand Monday for students, faculty and staff as the entire community tried to come to grips with this unspeakable and seemingly random crime. Everyone was asking the same question, “why?” Right now, there is no answer to that question.

Hundreds of people have already donated thousands of dollars through a GoFundMe Webpage for Logan’s funeral expenses. Donations to the Tipton family can also be made at Kentucky Bank.