Local residents are demanding accountability and transparency from Lucas County Children Services after the county announced the creation of a task force to evaluate the agency.
About 20 protesters gathered outside of LCCS on Friday afternoon with signs that said, “Protect our children,” and “Time to speak up.”
“I’m mad that they’re not protecting one of my family members,” said Amanda Schaffner, an East Toledo resident. “I’m mad that they didn’t protect Keimani [Latigue]. I’m mad that they haven’t been protecting kids for years.”
At 42 years old, it was Ms. Schaffner’s first protest, but she said Keimani’s death hit home for her, as she lost her child to gun violence.
Keimani was found on Monday in an abandoned, burned-out house on Miami Street in East Toledo. Her grandmother reported her missing on March 18. The Lucas County Coroner’s Office said she died of “multiple incised wounds of the neck,” and her death was ruled a homicide.
Her father, Darnell Jones of Toledo, is accused of her murder. He is in a Columbus-area hospital after he was shot by Columbus police on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, The Blade reported that one of Keimani’s former teachers called authorities at least twice over concerns for the girl and knew of other educators who did as well. On Friday, LCCS said the agency received one report in 2023 and two reports in 2024 regarding the care of the girl, none of which led to the removal of the child from her home.
Jeannie Phillips, the founder of Lucas County Children of Sexual Assault, organized the protest outside of LCCS. Ms. Phillips, who has had negative experiences with the agency, said she has been protesting outside of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas for years.
“When I found out about Keimani, and seeing where a teacher called multiple times, it’s the same story,” she said.
Her Facebook group used to have about 700 members, but it has grown to more 1,000 members in one week. Friday was the biggest protest she has ever held.
Earlier in the day, the Lucas County commissioners announced the creation of a task force to evaluate the children services agency.
Robin Reese, the former director of LCCS; Breda Osburn, director of Lucas County Job and Family Services; and Suzette Cowell, the chairman of the LCCS board, will lead the selection and creation of the task force. Further details will be determined in the coming weeks.
The Lucas County Children Services board voted in favor of creating the task force on Thursday after an executive session discussing the details of Keimani’s case.
“Where we’re at now, there’s not a lot of trust in the agency’s performance,” Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken said at a news conference on Friday. “Our sole purpose of this task force is to restore trust between the agency and the community that it serves.”
Ms. Phillips said she hopes the county follows through with its promise.
“I am wholeheartedly for it,” Ms. Phillips said. “I love it. I believe there are people in there that care about children and that want to do their job. I really do. And then I believe there are people in there for a paycheck.”
Others think the county should have created a task force before Keimani’s death.
“They should have had it together way before Keimani was lost,” Ms. Schaffner said. “I think they formed it because they see how angry the community is, and they’re trying to appease us and calm us down, so to speak, so that it doesn’t get bigger and turn into something more violent or anything else.”
Rilee Chapman, a South Toledo resident, grew up in the foster care system in Hancock County. She was protesting in support of her friend who has had negative experiences with LCCS.
“I know how corrupt the system is,” Ms. Chapman said. “They make you jump through hoops. ... They basically take innocent children out of innocent homes and neglect the ones that actually need help.”
Ms. Phillips said she just wants change within the LCCS agency to protect children in neglected homes.
“We can’t let this keep happening. They’re our children,” Ms. Phillips said. “They’re our future. They’re the ones that are going to go on to be doctors and nurses and presidents. We need them.”
First Published March 28, 2025, 9:39 p.m.
