Lucas County Children Services Faces Scrutiny After Kei’Mani Latigue’s Death

TOLEDO, Ohio – Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is under intense scrutiny following the tragic death of 9-year-old Kei’Mani Latigue, whose body was discovered inside a home last month. The agency is facing multiple reviews into its handling of the case, with concerns being raised about whether proper steps were taken to protect the young girl.

In a press conference held Tuesday, Randy Muth, the executive director of LCCS, provided a detailed timeline of the agency’s involvement with Kei’Mani, revealing that reports were made to the agency in both December 2023 and March 2024. Upon receiving these reports, LCCS initiated investigations, which included home visits, speaking with Kei’Mani, and conducting background checks. However, Muth said no reasons were found at the time to remove Kei’Mani from her guardian’s home.

According to Muth, both Kei’Mani and her grandmother, Dorothy Latigue, told LCCS workers during these investigations that they were the only two people living in the household. There was no mention of Darnell Jones, the man now accused of Kei’Mani’s murder, in any of the agency’s records. This has raised questions about whether Jones’s presence in the home was properly disclosed to LCCS.

Dorothy Latigue has since claimed that Darnell Jones had been in the household on several occasions and had even taken Kei’Mani to his home for weekend visits. However, it remains unclear whether these visits occurred before or after March 2024, the date of the last recorded report to LCCS.

Muth also expressed concern over the lack of reports made by mandated reporters in the year leading up to Kei’Mani’s death. “We have no record of anyone from Toledo Public Schools ever calling us with respect to Kei’Mani,” Muth said. “We have no record of anyone calling us ever with concerns about Darnell Jones.” He urged anyone who believes they had contacted LCCS about Kei’Mani to come forward and help the agency investigate whether any reports were mishandled.

The agency’s procedures have also been called into question. Muth confirmed that LCCS does not endorse corporal punishment but said that Ohio law allows parents to make decisions regarding discipline. He added that the agency provides guidance on how corporal punishment should be applied safely, advising that an open hand be used and no marks be left on the child.

One key point of contention has been the placement of Kei’Mani with her grandmother, Dorothy Latigue. Muth stated that there was no documentation on when Kei’Mani was placed in her grandmother’s care, but based on the reports reviewed, he did not believe anything could have been done differently in the case. He emphasized that Kei’Mani’s basic needs, such as housing, schooling, and medical care, appeared to be met, and the fact that she transferred schools multiple times did not raise red flags for the agency.

The ongoing investigations into LCCS are not limited to an internal review. The Ohio Department of Children and Youth will also conduct a formal review of the agency’s services and procedures as they were applied to Kei’Mani’s case. Additionally, a task force is being formed with the help of the Lucas County Commissioners to examine the agency’s operations more broadly.

In the wake of Kei’Mani’s death, the tragic case has sparked renewed discussions on the effectiveness of child welfare services and whether improvements are needed to better protect vulnerable children. The results of the various reviews, expected to be shared once completed, will likely provide critical insights into potential systemic issues within LCCS and the broader child protection system in Ohio.