One of Keimani Latigue’s teachers said she called authorities at least twice over her concerns for the girl and knows of other educators who did as well.
Kayleene Hairabedian, who taught sixth-grade English to Keimani last year at Bennett Venture Academy, said Keimani came to school with injuries regularly.
“She would have welt marks on the back of her neck, back, and stomach,” she said. “She was constantly bruised. She was fearful of going home.”
Ms. Hairabedian said she believes that Keimani would be alive if authorities had done something.
Keimani enrolled at Toledo Public Schools’ Spring Elementary for this school year, where the seventh grader was recently recognized at the school’s honor roll assembly and was going to be given a kindness award later this week, school officials said.
“The students and staff at Spring Elementary are saddened by the loss of their friend and classmate,” officials said in a statement. “Keimani will be remembered as being very personable and someone who got along well with others.”
Counselors were at the school Monday and Tuesday to help students and employees cope with her disappearance and death. The district’s two therapy dogs were also at the school.
Her teacher from the charter school wishes more could have been done for Keimani.
“Keimani was sweet, caring, and generous,” Ms. Hairabedian said. “She would offer pieces of her breakfast to me. She was a good, kind person. She was always seeking validation that she was good. She was a special, well behaved child. She absolutely would be alive today if they had listened to our calls.”
Kevin Milliken, spokesman for Lucas County Children Services, said the organization was advised by the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office that “nothing is public record at this time.”
“The big yellow book from the attorney general is full of exceptions to the public records law where child welfare is concerned,” Mr. Milliken said.
First Published March 25, 2025, 9:03 p.m.
