LCCS says it found no evidence to remove Kei'Mani Latigue from home after 3 reports made

TOLEDO, Ohio – Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) announced that it found no evidence to justify the removal of Kei'Mani Latigue from her home, following three reports regarding her care dating back to 2023. The agency received one report on December 8, 2023, and two reports on March 21, 2024, pertaining to her grandmother, Dorothy Latigue's guardianship.

Investigations conducted by LCCS included private conversations with Kei'Mani to assess her well-being. The agency reported that it consulted additional sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the family situation. As a result of their findings, LCCS provided guidance to Dorothy on "appropriate discipline" and referred the family to OhioRISE, a program designed to support youth with multifaceted behavioral health needs.

Since March 21, 2024, LCCS has not received any further reports of abuse or neglect concerning Kei'Mani. Notably, information about her father has not been disclosed, and Darnell Jones, who has since been accused of Kei'Mani's murder, was never identified as her father nor as someone involved in her care or described as abusive.

A press release from LCCS emphasized the confidentiality surrounding child abuse and neglect investigations under Ohio law. The agency expressed its commitment to justice for Kei'Mani and noted that, although it wished to share more details, such disclosures were limited by ongoing legal proceedings related to her murder.

Kei'Mani was reported missing on March 18, and her body was discovered days later in a derelict house in east Toledo, leading to a homicide ruling by the coroner. Darnell Jones has been charged with murder, felonious assault, and abduction in connection with her death. He was reportedly the last person to see her alive and was arrested after providing inconsistent statements to police regarding her disappearance.