A Toledo family is asking for help to help find a 13-year-old who's been missing now for more than two days. Her name is Kimmani Lati. >> Come here, man. >> Don't do it. >> What's your name? Kill me, >> dude. Dude, show me your hands right now, bro. It was Monday morning, March 17th, 2025, when Dorothy Latig arrived home after working an overnight shift. Almost immediately, she sensed something wasn't right. Her granddaughter, 13-year-old Kimmani Latig, whom she had legal custody of, was nowhere to be found. Normally, Kimani would have already left for school by the time Dorothy returned. But what made this different was that Kimani's personal belongings were still inside the house. Her glasses, her house keys, and her cell phone. Her underclo were folded near the couch, her pajamas crumpled on the dining room floor, and the stove, it had been left on. The last confirmed sighting of Kimani was the night before, Sunday, March 16th, at around 10 p.m. when she was with her biological father, Darnell Jones. >> Kimani's father says he saw his daughter late Sunday night after she called him, afraid to be home alone. >> I came over here cuz she said that if it seemed like somebody was trying to break into the house, so I sat for an hour, me and my cousin, we sat over here and we left around like 12:30ish. Dorothy called Kimani's school, Spring Elementary, to check in. That's when she learned her granddaughter hadn't shown up for class. Growing increasingly anxious, she continued calling family and friends, hoping someone had seen or heard from her, but no one had, and Kimani's phone went straight to voicemail. With each passing hour, Darothy's concern deepened. Eventually, she contacted the police. See? >> Yes. I'd like to make a police report. >> Okay. What's the address? >> Elm Street. >> Okay. What kind of report? >> A missing person. >> Okay. What's your name? >> Mine or hers? >> Yours? >> Dorothy. >> Okay. Who think? >> Kimani. >> Is this your daughter, son? >> This is my granddaughter. >> Okay. Do you have custody? >> I do. >> Okay. How old is she? >> 13. >> How long ago she's been missing? >> Uh well uh to the best of my understanding, she's just been missing this morning. And I called her school and went up to her school and they said she's not there. >> What school does she go to? >> Spring. >> And do you remember uh did you see what she was wearing before she left? >> No. Um she's usually going to school before I get home from work. Okay. Is she black, white, or Hispanic? >> She's black. She looks Hispanic. >> Okay. And then what was her last name? >> Latig. >> Your phone number? >> 419. >> Okay. Does she have a phone on her that you're aware of? >> She She does. And it's dead cuz it's going straight to voicemail. >> All right. I'll be out and then they'll be out. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. All right. Bye. Toledo police arrived quickly. They conducted an initial search of the home and a formal investigation was launched. By Friday, March 21st, with no leads and no sign of Kimani, the community mobilized. Volunteers, family members, and complete strangers joined together in a city-wide search effort. >> Kimani Latig hasn't been seen since Sunday night. And tonight, family, friends, and even strangers formed a search party in the area of East Manhattan and Stikney. 13 Action News anchor Gerald Harris was there and joins us live with more. Gerald >> Christian, much of the search for Kimani is focused on North Toledo. That's where she was reported missing from. And today, search team volunteers stepped up their efforts to try and locate the missing teen. >> She loves to dance. She likes to play basketball. She joined the basketball team this year and she was doing great things. >> With flyers in hand and hope in their hearts, >> she doesn't get in trouble. She doesn't do stuff like this. >> Family, friends, and her mother who traveled from Cleveland are in North Toledo going block by block looking for her missing daughter, 13-year-old Kimmani Latig. >> I have not slept in 3 days. I have not eaten in 3 days. I have never had a seizure before and I've had three. The teen has not been seen since Sunday night after 10 p.m. Her grandmother, who is her guardian, told 13 Action News she came home from work and the door was unlocked. >> We just wanted to come out and see what I could do to support. Thought if it was our child, we would want to come out and do what we could. >> Volunteers from across Toledo and even Kerry, Ohio showed up to help. 3 days later, the search ended in tragedy. On March 24th, investigators found Kimani's body inside a dilapidated abandoned house on Miami Street in East Toledo. She had suffered severe injuries, including large wounds to her neck and the loss of both hands. Less than 24 hours later, the Lucas County coroner released the official autopsy report, ruling her death a homicide caused by multiple insized wounds to the neck. News of the discovery sent shock waves throughout the community. For a week, people had held out hope. Now that hope turned to heartbreak. Back at Spring Elementary, grief counselors were brought in. Teachers struggled to find the words. Classmates created a makeshift memorial outside the school. One handwritten sign read, "You were always smiling, Kimani. We miss you." Kimani was just days away from celebrating her 14th birthday. A spokesperson for Toledo public schools said she had recently been recognized at the school's honor role assembly and was scheduled to receive a kindness award that same week. Kimmani will be remembered as being very personable and someone who got along well with others, the district said in a statement. But the grief quickly turned to outrage. Beneath the mourning was a pressing question. Could this have been prevented? Detectives quickly turned their attention to Darnell Jones, the last known person to see Kimani alive. During questioning, Jones allegedly gave conflicting statements about his whereabouts and movements the night she disappeared. Then, he made an odd request. Jones called his girlfriend and asked her to disable the home security cameras. She refused. According to her statement, she was in the bedroom when a relative observed Jones removing items from his SUV. He brought them into the house and tucked them beneath the basement stairs. Concerned, the girlfriend contacted police. Officers secured a search warrant and retrieved the items into evidence. Soon after, Jones realized the police had entered the home and that the evidence was gone. That's when he fled, never to be seen again by the girlfriend. Toledo police issued a bolo for Darnell Jones. The alert was sent to agencies across the state. By the next morning, March 25th, at around 10:00 a.m., a tactical unit from the Columbus Police Department located Jones near the intersection of Second and Denison. [Music] >> Come here, man. >> Don't do it. >> What's your hands? Kill me, >> dude. Dude, show me your [ __ ] hands right now. >> Pull your [ __ ] hand out. I swear to God. Pull >> Shard. Shots fired. Pass in a second. >> Don't [ __ ] move. >> Don't move. >> All right. Suspect sounds good, guys. >> Yep. >> Don't move. He's got 33 right there. >> 33 in his hand. >> No, it's it's a walkietalkie, but there are 33s right here. Don't you move or you're going to get shot. Okay. All right. Got Yep. That's him. Somebody get Somebody get on the main. >> I'm working on it. >> All right. On your belly. >> All right. >> I got cuffs. There you go. Thank you, brother. We'll get you help. Okay. >> I just want to die, bro. >> No, I know. I know, but we can't allow that. >> I can't. I don't want to live. Get us some treasures. >> Secure this dude. >> All right. I'm fired. >> In the car. >> He did, too. I think >> you did. I did not. Okay. He did. >> Okay. You good? >> All right. Good. >> You good? >> I know. I know. >> All right. >> Listen to me. Listen to me. I got to roll you off. I got to get you up on on your side. Okay. I got to get you up on your side. I got you. >> All right. >> Where you hit at, bro? >> I don't know. >> On your leg. >> He's all hit right here. >> I know. He's hitting his arm once. >> Oh my [ __ ] >> You need a medic here now. Where's >> I know they're coming. Okay, we got him. Um, he's hit once in the arm. >> All right. >> He's hitting the side here. >> Yep. You're hitting the side. >> Okay. >> You're going to be fine. >> Hey, look. You know what's good about this? >> Sit up. Okay. You're You're going to be fine. >> I know. I know. >> I think you're broke. >> Where do you guys need it? >> There you go. How's that? >> They broke. >> Okay. >> I can't get up. Okay. We're going to leave you sit here like this. Take a deep breath. >> Do me a favor. Take a deep breath for me. Okay. >> Hey, move your car. Block that road. You're on chasing. Get that road blocked. >> Hold me up. >> We can't We can't let you down. Okay. You got to stay up. >> I'll hold you up. All right. You just relax. Lean back in. >> There you go. >> You're going to be fine. >> Listen. Hey, >> nothing's ever that bad. All right. >> It is. >> Okay. Well, >> Darnell, right? >> You do you have anything else on you? Do you have any more guns? >> Yes. >> Where the guns at? >> Where's the other gun at? >> I don't. >> Darnell. >> Hey. Sorry. >> Darnell. Yeah. >> Do you have anything else on you? >> Yeah, you said you had a gun. >> Well, I I don't I think he's just fading. I don't know. >> Nope. Just stay back. Okay. Please >> stay back. >> Hey. Okay. Okay. We're making good witnesses. >> You're You're fine, ma'am. You're fine. >> We got to get him search. Medic's going to take him. >> I know. >> Hey. >> Hey, you guys get somebody just go chill somewhere else. Hey, how that cruiser start getting scene tape? >> Let the medic. Get back. They're fine. It's fine. Yeah, we need a cart. We need a cart. >> Cart. >> Oh, no. Stay with me, bro. Keep talking to me, guys. Dave 511. If anyone is listening at home, lost lost their support. Sit here. Legs on. >> Which way you want to head? >> Here. >> Right there. Okay. >> You need him out of the cuffs? >> Yeah, we're going to need them out. We're going to have to Hey, listen. Here we go. Now we're going to roll you over one more time. All right. Got to get those cuffs off your seat. Relax. There you go. He's hitting the arm, leg, arm, and I believe left chest. Okay. Get a good search on him. >> I am. Everything's got to come off. >> You taking any malt down enough in this? Yeah. >> All right. That's fine. Pull this off. Cut off your gun. You want to help us lift down? >> Hold on. Just good. >> Hey, don't move your arm. >> I know it hurts. They're going to help you. Okay. Shoot me in the head. Well, >> we're not trying to hurt you. We're not trying to kill you. Take off my arm. >> No, we're not going to take it off your arm. Okay. They're going to cut it off in just a second. >> According to police, Jones pulled a gun during the encounter and was shot by officers. He was hospitalized in critical condition, but later stabilized. Court records alleged that he admitted to dragging Kimmani to the abandoned house where he inflicted the fatal injuries. After his arrest, Jones was booked into the Franklin County Jail and held without bond. Due to the injuries from his arrest, he was housed in the jail's medical ward. On April 18th, he appeared in Lucas County Court for the first time. A judge set his total bond at $4 million, two million for murder and a million each for abduction and felonious assault. But just when it seemed the case couldn't get any darker, another unexpected development. On the morning of April 19th, 2025, less than a month after Kimani's body was found, the abandoned house on Miami Street went up in flames. The building had already been marked as a code red structure due to its dangerous condition. And by the time fire crews arrived, it was fully engulfed in flames. Because of the home's instability and its role in an active homicide investigation, firefighters made the decision to fight the blaze from the outside, only avoiding entry. Investigators later classified the fire as suspicious and it's now being treated as a possible arson. In response to public concern, Toledo officials quickly reassured the community that all critical evidence had already been collected and secured well before the fire broke out. Within hours, demolition crews were on site, and by late morning, the structure had been completely leveled. The city moved fast, citing both public safety and community trauma as key reasons for the emergency tearown. And yet, something important was spared. Before the fire, community members had created a growing memorial at the site. Flowers, candles, handwritten notes, and stuffed animals lining the sidewalk in Kimani's honor. Thankfully, those items had been carefully removed ahead of time. They were preserved and relocated, a small act of care amid so much destruction. Still, for many, watching the house burn felt symbolic, like the final erasure of a scene too painful to leave standing. Less than two weeks after the fire on April 30th, Darnell Jones appeared in court again, this time for his formal arraignment. Thanks to courtroom cameras, the public got their first direct look at Jones since his arrest. Seated before the judge, he entered a plea to the charges laid out against him tied to the death of his 13-year-old daughter. The hearing was procedural, but it carried weight. For many watching, it was a jarring moment. A man who was supposed to be a protective father now standing accused of one of the most brutal crimes in recent memory. Good afternoon. Please be seated. Here's the case CR 2025-548, state of Ohio versus Darnell Jones. We're here today to begin the adjudication in this court of the charges against Mr. Jones. I will go over those charges and death penalty specifications and cover a lot of other necessary ground today. Mr. Jones, there's a lot of people here today and I can appreciate if you're anxious or if you're nervous. Uh I want you to to do your best to focus on me and the questions I'm going to ask you and the information I'm going to give you. Okay? Now, as we said, I have a lot to go over. I want to make sure you understand. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> What's your What's your name? >> What's your full name? >> Well, I go by Ogle Tree. D O Tree. They got Jones. >> Okay. Can you explain what's why do they have you call yourself Ogal Tree? My birth name is Darnell Overry and my adopted name is Darnell Jones. Okay. But ever since I was like 19, I've been under tree. >> Okay. But your does your first certificate say oral tree or does your birth certificate say Jones? >> Um it says Jones. >> Yeah. But like my social security card, my ID, all my taxes, everything's been under the tree. >> Uh, where were you born? >> Ohio. >> Where where were you raised and where have you lived? >> Um, I live in Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, but mainly Toledo. >> Excellent. Are you a United States citizen? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Can you speak, read, and write in English? >> Yes, sir. I write. >> You speak, read, or write any other language? >> No, just English. >> Just English. Okay. Do you have any problems reading, hearing, seeing? >> No. >> Uh, do you wear contacts? >> Um, sometimes I wear reading glasses, but >> Okay. Well, there's going to be some stuff to read today. And since we have an indictment, you can see on the big screen there, the screen in front of me. I'm going to be reading part of that. Um, so if at any time you need help with anything, please let either your attorneys or let me know. Correct. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, how about hearing aids? Anything like that? >> No. >> Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes, sir. I'm going to ask you that you speak up when you can. Okay. >> Are you taking any medications? Um the pain meds from for the accident and they got me on some psychotic meds for anxiety >> for anxiety. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um are you taking those medications pursuant to a doctor's order? >> Yes. >> Okay. Are you taking them according to those instructions? >> Yes. >> Um do do those medications affect your ability to understand what I'm telling you? >> No, sir. Does it affect your ability to answer my questions? >> No, it's not. >> Okay. Once again, if I go too fast or you don't understand something, just let me know. Okay. Fair. Um, have you been diagnosed or treated for any mental illness? >> Yes, sir. >> What kind? um depression, schizophrenic, uh bipolar, ADHD, ADD has been a lot involved. I I don't want to get too much into your personal uh medical records, but the reason I'm asking you this, again, I want to make sure and I'm sure your attorneys want to make sure you're understanding what I'm asking you. That's the only reason I'm asking you right now is to make sure that if you have any kind of medical condition, physical condition, handicap, it doesn't impair you from answering my questions and understanding what I'm talking about. Okay. All right. So, let's do that. As I said, it's on the screen, too, if that's easier for you to read that. All right. So, the indictment has a case number on it, has your name on it, and it has some operative dates. This indictment, uh, Mr. Jones contains in it 15 different counts. Count is simply a charge violated. Let's start with the first one here. You've got count one, aggravated murder you have these unclassified felony with specifications. It alleges that you did purposely handle prior calculation and design cause the death of Kimani Latique violation of those code sections making it aggravated murder. Now, you're going to see beneath that felony murder specification, which alleges that you committed, attempted to commit, or were fleeing immediately after committing or attempting to commit rape. And either the offender, you were the principal offender in the commission of the aggravated murder, or if not the principal offender, you committed the aggravated murder with prior calculation and design. The specification under that also says felony murder. It's the same as the one I just read with the replacement. Instead of rape, it says kidnapping. And the third felony murder specification replaces rape or kidnapping with aggravated murder. Otherwise, those three specifications are essentially the same. You'll see on the next page that there is also a murder to escape specification which reads that the offense was committed for the purpose of escaping detection, apprehension, trial or punishment for another offense committed by you to wit rape kidnapping and or aggravated burglary. Below that is what's called a sexual motivation specification and it says that you committed the offense with the sexual motivation. Finally, it says sexually violent predator specification, saying that you are a sexually violent predator. Darnell Jones sat before the judge, quietly pleading not guilty to a string of violent charges. But what played out in that courtroom was only part of the story. Because as the legal process moved forward, so did the investigation into Jones himself. And what surfaced was a pattern, a long disturbing history of criminal behavior with minimal consequences. Court records show that Jones had been in and out of the criminal justice system for years with arrests dating back to 2011 and only serving relatively short periods of jail time. We're talking about convictions for domestic assault, resisting arrest, attempted arson, and weapons violations. There were also reports of substance abuse, consistent repeated red flags that painted a picture of a man spiraling long before Kimani disappeared. And yet, despite all of it, he somehow still had access to his daughter. That reality raised serious questions about who knew what and when. Soon, the focus turned to the county children's services agency, which came under intense scrutiny. According to a statement released by the agency authorized by county prosecutors, the Lucas County Children's Services had investigated multiple prior reports regarding Kimani's care. The agency received three separate complaints, one in December 2023 and two more in March 2024, all involving concerns about physical discipline in the home. In each case, investigators interviewed Kimani privately. each time she told them she felt safe. Based on those interviews, the agency concluded there was no legal basis to remove her from the home. Notably, the agency also stated they had received no reports specifically naming Darnell Jones and were not even aware of his role or presence in Kimani's life during the time of their investigations. Even more troubling, the agency admitted that even if they had known about Jones, it might not have changed their assessment or the outcome of the case. >> No, I Well, I suppose it depends on on what we would have learned. We from whoever was identified as that, but no, I we determined that the placement there was appropriate. All the basic needs of the child were being met. she was getting uh all of her uh her sustenance, her housing conditions were fine, she her school and medical conditions were being met. So the presence of a father would not have caused us, I think, to recommend to the juvenile court that they change custody or placement. The agency has said it is willing to release further information to address public concern, but only once prosecutors confirm it won't jeopardize the integrity of the criminal case. Still, many in the community remain unconvinced. Public frustration has grown. Advocacy groups have called for an independent review of the children's services protocols and accountability standards. And Kimani's former teacher even went public, saying she believes the tragedy was preventable. On the count of three, can everybody shout out Kmani? 1 2 3. [Applause] >> A crowd gathered at the abandoned house on Miami and Wilmont, chanting the name of a girl who will never be forgotten. 13-year-old Kimani Latig. >> As my pastor would say, a family that prayed together stays together. And this is the time when we need to come together. Many of the mourers did not know Kimani personally, but gathered flowers, balloons, and lit candles in her memory. >> She was just a joy to be around, >> and she will be deeply missed. >> Kaen Herabidian was Kimani's teacher last year. >> She was very sweet. I enjoyed having her at school every day. She greeted me every single morning with a hug. That was all she truly ever wanted was affection. >> Harabidian said affection was something that Kimani might have needed more of. >> This feels preventable. The teacher said she and other staff members called children's services to report concerning things Kimani had said. >> She came to school uh with visible injuries and told us some things that were happening in her household. >> Harabidian said Kimi was with a different guardian during that time. Still, she wishes something could have gone differently. As of the date of this upload, Darnell Jones remains in custody at the Lucas County Jail, held on a $4 million bond. He has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated murder, kidnapping, and a series of felonies tied to the abuse and death of his 13-year-old daughter. Prosecutors have confirmed they intend to pursue the death penalty. A tentative trial date is set for April 2026, but with more than 200 pieces of evidence, including surveillance footage, body cam video, digital records, and witness statements, that timeline could still change. What's clear is that this is one of the most complex, high-profile, and emotionally charged cases Northwest Ohio has seen in years. And through it all, it's easy to lose sight of who the story is really about. Kimmani Latig was a bright, kind-hearted seventh grader who was just days away from her 14th birthday. She made the honor role. She was set to receive a kindness award. Her teachers remembered her smile. Her classmates remembered her laughter. She was a child who deserved to be safe, to be protected, and to grow up surrounded by love, not tragedy. Her name was Kimani, and she mattered. Hey, hey, hey.