Toledo police said Monday that a body found in a burned-out house in East Toledo is that of missing 13-year-old Keimani Latigue and that a murder warrant was issued for her father.
“It is the missing girl in the house,” Sgt. Roy Kennedy told The Blade. “We’re still working on a few things. We have not located the father.”
Earlier Monday, Toledo Police Department investigators worked inside the burned-out house in the 1100 block of Miami Street, as Tiara Kasten, Keimani’s mother, watched their progress, hoping for news about her child.
Ms. Kasten was among a growing crowd that started to gather near the house around 1:15 p.m. Monday. By mid-afternoon, as temperatures hovered near freezing, the crowd had grown to more than 50 people, some silently staring at the house and others vocally expressing anger and anguish.
“It's nothing to take a picture. It’s nothing. ... Let me know when the coroner is bringing her out so I can see if that’s indeed my baby,” Ms. Kasten said as the crowd continued to grow.
“Bring my baby,” Ms. Kasten yelled to authorities as the coroner’s office was seen removing a bag containing a body.
The house the body was found in was destroyed by fire nearly three years ago.
An East Toledo man was charged on Sunday with abduction in connection with the disappearance of Keimani.
Toledo police said Monday that a warrant was issued Sunday for Keimani’s father, Darnell Jones, 33, of the 600 block of Willard Street for abduction. In the affidavit filed with Toledo Municipal Court, authorities allege Mr. Jones removed Keimani without the consent of her guardian. He was the last person to see the teen prior to her disappearance.
Mr. Jones also “gave officers inconsistent statements about his activity with the victim, and their whereabouts,” according to the affidavit.
Late Monday, Toledo Police Lt. Dan Gerken said a murder warrant was issued for Jones who remains at large.
Sgt. Kennedy said Mr. Jones is also known to use the name Darnell Ogletree. “I think he uses Ogletree on his ID,” the police sergeant said.
According to police records, Mr. Jones is also known as Darnell Jerome Ogletree.
Keimani’s grandmother, Dorothy Latigue, reported her missing just before noon on Tuesday. She told police Keimani did not show up to school that day and that calls to the girl’s cell phone went straight to voicemail, according to a police report.
Dorothy Latigue told police her granddaughter “has never done anything like this before” and that “the behavior is out of the norm for her,” the report said.
According to police, the child was last seen around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Ms. Kasten, who lives in Cleveland, said the girl’s father in Toledo was the last person to see her.
The teen was last seen in the 2900 block of Elm Street.
Anyone with information about the case can call or text the Crime Stopper program at 419-255-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.
First Published March 24, 2025, 2:39 p.m.
