Commissioners plan task force to look into Children Services as details about Kei’Mani Latigue come to light
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Community leaders are considering creating a task force to look into Lucas County Children Services in an effort to bolster the services it provides and rebuild community trust. It comes after educators say they reported concerns of potential abuse against Ke’Mani Latigue on multiple occasions last school year, but they said it fell on deaf ears.
Investigators found Kei’Mani’s body in an abandoned building on Monday after she had been reported missing last week. Her father is charged with her murder.
Children Services told 13 Action News Tuesday none of the information in the case is public at this time and declined to comment.
Commissioner Pete Gerken told 13 Action News on Wednesday he wants to rebuild trust between the community and Children Services.
“This is probably the lowest point that I’ve seen of disconnect between Lucas County Children Services and the community,” Gerken said.
The commissioner said he expects to learn more during the Children Services Board’s special meeting on Thursday afternoon.
He said that if the Lucas County Children Services board formally asks for help, the Lucas County Commissioners are prepared to launch a task force looking into the system. Gerken said even if the board doesn’t ask for help, the commissioners may still take action.
He said the goal is not to look at just one case, but look at a system could have contributed to how Kei’Mani’s case unfolded.
“It’s not singular just on one case,” Gerken said. “This one case is kind of symptomatic of how that whole system runs, right? So for every Kei’Mani, were there cases that needed some attention that didn’t end so tragically?”
If a task force is created and an investigation launched, Gerken said he hopes to involve the community. He would like to bring in outside groups to help, including those who have been in the foster system, foster parents, school leaders, welfare advocates and court officials.
Gerken couldn’t say whether CSB’s special meeting is related to the Kei’Mani Latigue case, but said the commissioners plan to attend.
- ‘A lot of systems failed that poor girl’ Council seeks answers on Latigue abuse allegation reporting
- ‘This feels preventable’: Kei’Mani Latigue’s former teacher speaks out at community vigil for Toledo teen
- FULL INTERVIEW: Toledo’s police chief discusses Kei’Mani Latigue case
- Everything we know about the life and death of 13-year-old Kei’Mani Latigue
- Police shoot Toledo father wanted for daughter’s murder; teen’s cause of death revealed
- Missing Toledo girl’s body found in abandoned home; father faces murder charge
- Search party gathers to look for missing 13-year-old from North Toledo
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