Kimani Latig: Community in Shock After Tragic Loss of 13-Year-Old Toledo Girl

A city held its breath in Toledo, Ohio, in March 2025 as volunteers, family, and law enforcement launched an urgent search for 13-year-old Kimani Latig, who had been missing for more than two days. Her disappearance and death would shock the community, raise questions about child safety, and leave a lingering sense of heartbreak and outrage.

The Disappearance

It began Monday morning, March 17th, when Dorothy Latig, Kimani’s grandmother and legal guardian, returned home after an overnight shift. Something felt wrong immediately. Kimani had not left for school, yet her personal belongings—including her glasses, cell phone, house keys, and pajamas—remained at home. Even the stove had been left on, an unusual oversight for the careful teenager.

The last confirmed sighting of Kimani was the night before, around 10:00 p.m., when she was with her biological father, Darnell Jones, reportedly afraid to be home alone. Despite reaching out to family, friends, and her school, no one had seen or heard from her. Kimani’s cell phone went straight to voicemail, deepening the family’s worry.

By the afternoon, Toledo police had been contacted, launching a formal investigation.

Community Response

As days passed with no leads, the community mobilized. Volunteers combed neighborhoods, distributed flyers, and scoured the city of North Toledo, particularly the East Manhattan and Stickney areas. Family members, friends, and strangers joined the effort, fueled by hope and a shared sense of urgency.

“She loves to dance. She likes to play basketball,” one family member recalled. “She doesn’t get in trouble. She doesn’t do stuff like this. We just want her back.”

Despite tireless searching and emotional pleas, hope turned to tragedy. On March 24th, investigators discovered Kimani’s body inside a dilapidated, abandoned house on Miami Street. She had suffered severe injuries, including fatal wounds to her neck and the loss of both hands. The Lucas County coroner later ruled her death a homicide.

The Arrest of Darnell Jones

Attention quickly turned to Kimani’s father, Darnell Jones, the last person known to have seen her alive. During questioning, authorities noted conflicting statements about his whereabouts and Kimani’s movements. Further investigation revealed Jones had attempted to disable home security cameras and remove evidence from his SUV.

Jones fled but was apprehended by a tactical unit from Columbus Police on March 25th. During the encounter, he reportedly pulled a firearm and was shot by officers before being stabilized at a hospital. Court records allege that Jones admitted to dragging Kimani to the abandoned house and inflicting her fatal injuries.

He is now held at the Lucas County Jail on $4 million bond, charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping, felonious assault, and other related offenses, with prosecutors pursuing the death penalty.

The Aftermath

Less than a month after Kimani’s death, the abandoned house where she was found was destroyed in a suspicious fire, classified as possible arson. Firefighters, citing public safety and structural instability, fought the blaze from the outside. Fortunately, community memorial items—flowers, candles, and notes—had been preserved before the fire, honoring Kimani’s memory.

Community members, teachers, and classmates gathered to mourn. At Spring Elementary, grief counselors worked with students, and classmates created a makeshift memorial. “You were always smiling, Kimani. We miss you,” read one handwritten sign.

Kimani, days away from her 14th birthday, had been an honor roll student and was scheduled to receive a kindness award. Teachers remembered her warmth and her daily greetings. Her former teacher, Caen Herabidian, reflected, “She was very sweet. All she truly ever wanted was affection. This feels preventable.”

Scrutiny and Questions

Jones’ history of criminal behavior—including arrests for domestic assault, weapons violations, and substance abuse—has raised questions about how he maintained access to Kimani. The case also prompted intense public scrutiny of Lucas County Children’s Services, which had investigated prior complaints about Kimani’s care but did not remove her from the home. The agency maintains that Kimani’s basic needs were met and that her father’s presence would not have changed custody decisions.

Advocacy groups and teachers, however, argue that the tragedy might have been prevented and have called for independent reviews of children’s services protocols.

Remembering Kimani

Amid grief, Toledo came together to honor Kimani. Vigils, flowers, balloons, and candles celebrated the life of a girl taken far too soon. Community members, many of whom never knew her personally, lined streets in remembrance.

Kimani Latig was more than a case file. She was a child with dreams, friendships, and a bright spirit, stolen from her family and community. Her death has left a lasting impact, a painful reminder of the need for vigilance, accountability, and collective care.

“Her name was Kimani, and she mattered,” her teachers and family remind the public—a child who deserves to be remembered, mourned, and honored.