MARQUETTE — A L’Anse man has been convicted in federal court in the death of a toddler in February 2024 on the L’Anse Reservation of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

A jury found Eugene Walter-George Rantanen, 37, guilty of murder and first-degree child abuse. Sentencing will take place this fall.

According to a news release from Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Byerly Birge, the 19-month-old child became unresponsive Feb. 19, 2024, while in Rantanen’s sole custody. Despite extensive medical treatment, the child died five days later.

The medical examiner testified at trial the child had blunt force trauma to the head that caused significant brain injuries. Based on testimony, the only plausible explanation was Rantanen caused those severe brain injuries, according to the news release.

“Any time a child dies, it is a tragedy. But it is particularly tragic when a caretaker causes the death,” Birge said.

“This conviction confirms that Eugene Rantanen will no longer pose a threat to anyone, especially our children,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan, adding, “I extend my deepest condolences to those who truly loved the young victim — no one should ever have to endure such a heartbreaking loss.”

The FBI, Michigan State Police, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Police, Baraga County Sheriff’s Office, and Village of L’Anse Police investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexis Sanford and Jeanne Long are prosecuting it.

This case was part of the Department of Justice’s work to combat the missing and murder indigenous person’s crisis. The Bureau of Indian Affairs website has more information about the MMIP crisis at https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis.