Welcome to Lucas County Children Services
Statement from Lucas County Children Services
(TOLEDO, OH – March 28, 2025) — Under Ohio law, information regarding investigations of child abuse and neglect is confidential.
While it was our strong desire to be able to disclose the facts about our involvement with Kei’Mani Latigue, we also understand that the top priority is justice for Kei’Mani. We did not want to do anything to jeopardize the criminal prosecution of her murder.
At this time, the prosecutor has approved the release of limited information. Once the prosecutor determines that the further release of information will not jeopardize prosecution, we intend to release additional information to help answer the community’s questions.
In the meantime, you will understand that we cannot provide any information beyond what we have provided here and will not be able to answer questions.
Case History:
Lucas County Children Services received a report on December 8, 2023, and two reports on March 21, 2024, regarding the care of Kei’Mani Latigue, who was in the care of her grandmother, Dorothy Latigue.
LCCS conducted investigations surrounding these concerns and found no evidence that would lead to the removal of the child from the home. With each investigation, LCCS met with the child and spoke with her alone.
LCCS spoke to referral sources and other involved people to get the full picture of the family. LCCS instructed the grandmother on appropriate discipline and referred the family to supports including OhioRISE, a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs.
There have been no other reports of abuse or neglect of Kei’Mani received by Lucas County Children Services since March 21, 2024.
This has been substantiated by a comprehensive review of intake records and digital and phone records.
Darnell Jones’ involvement:
LCCS does not and has never had information concerning who the father of Kei’Mani is. The alleged offender of the murder of Kei’Mani was never named as the father to Kei’Mani and was not named as a perpetrator of abuse or neglect of Kei’Mani. He was not named as an involved adult or a support person to Kei’Mani or Dorothy.
Navigating the child welfare system can be a complex and daunting process for parents and families.
Having trouble getting services? Have a problem or concern?
The Family Help Center is just a phone call away: 419-213-3833.
The Family Help Center is a hotline which now goes directly to an independent Client Rights Office, which will help you to navigate Lucas County Children Services and address your concerns in a constructive way.
This new pathway developed as a direct result of feedback received during recent Community Conversations being held in neighborhoods throughout the LCCS coverage area. One of the consistent areas of concern among parents and caregivers quickly became apparent: they didn’t feel there was anywhere to turn when they felt like they weren’t being heard.
The Family Help Center is now that avenue to raise concerns and find assistance. The goals are better communication, advocacy, and service for the children, caregivers, and families the agency serves. LCCS will track these concerns—and make internal changes as needed along the way.
LCCS Achieves Ohio START Certification
“Certification is important because it means LCCS is meeting or exceeding the national program’s highest standards and an unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of those in need,” explained LCCS Social Services Director Chanda Beal. “LCCS is extremely proud of the dedicated staff and community partners that are instrumental in this monumental milestone. This puts LCCS among national leaders in the success of this program at the local level.”
To date, LCCS has served 46 families and 88 children through Ohio START. Ohio START began in 2017 as a pilot program to provide recovery services for parents who have substance use disorder and specialized treatment for children who have been impacted by parental drug use. The program has continued to grow since then, expanding to 56 Ohio counties. Administered by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO), Ohio START has supported 2,650 children.
According to the PCSAO, research has shown that mothers who participate in START achieve sobriety at nearly twice the rate of mothers treated without START and that children in families served by START were half as likely to be placed in the custody of children services.
Lucas County Children Services
– A Letter to the Community
For 158 years, Lucas County residents have demonstrated their commitment to this county’s children by approving ballot measures that have funded services for birth parents, foster parents, kin caregivers and others who protect children and promote families.
I am pleased to report that on Tuesday, voters once again showed their concern for children – and confidence in this agency – by approving a new, 1.5 mill levy that will generate $12.2 million annually for the next five years. These funds will help to offset the cost of caring for our most troubled youth, and fund prevention services that stabilize families before child protection needs to intervene.
In these challenging times, asking voters to approve “new money” can be a difficult proposition, as many other worthwhile institutions compete for voters’ shrinking pocketbooks. We are truly humbled by the confidence that Lucas County residents have placed in us, and we are committed to remaining good stewards of their tax dollars.
The mission of Lucas County Children Services is to lead the community in the protection of children. Your support provides us with the resources to make that happen, and for that, we thank you.
Randall Muth, J.D.
Executive Director
Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) needs YOU—to become a foster parent!
There are hundreds of Lucas County children, who, through no fault of their own, need a safe and loving environment. The numbers of kids requiring foster care continues to grow, while the number of available homes has not.
Tweens and teens may require the mentoring needed to build and maintain a strong foundation for the transition into adulthood. These youth often are looking for a stable and safe environment that provides them the opportunities to achieve the future they envision for themselves.
Sibling groups can better weather the storms of separation from family when a foster home is able to keep them together. Siblings rely on each other heavily, so a larger, loving home can give them the stability and safety they need to thrive in such challenging conditions.
Treatment foster homes are needed to help children living with disabilities or special needs to achieve their full potential. Treatment foster caregivers may have or can learn specialized skills to ensure each child’s physical and emotional well-being needs are met.
LCCS provides the training and support to help you be the best foster parent possible. Please click here to take the first step. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!
Kinship Support Program (KSP)
On December 29, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine signed an Executive Order, establishing a Kinship Support Program to assist kinship caregivers of children in Ohio’s child welfare system.
The Governor’s order directs the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to pay all eligible kinship caregivers (related and unrelated) a daily stipend for each child in the custody of Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) that is placed in their home as kin. These KSP payments will continue for not more than nine months while caregivers work with LCCS to become licensed as a foster parent. ODJFS may waive certain non-safety-related foster care licensing requirements to help you become licensed. Once licensed, caregivers will receive foster care payments to care for the child as long as he/she remains in the home.
There is no application process to receive KSP payments. To be eligible, the child must be in the temporary, permanent, or legal custody of a public children services agency (PCSA) like LCCS, and be placed in your home by the PCSA as a kinship placement. Currently licensed foster caregivers are not eligible for this program. Find more information, click here.
Join Our Team!
2025 Pre-Service Training Schedule
Please visit:
https://lucaskids.net/pre-service-training/
2025 Foster & Adoptive Parents
Preservice Schedule
~ DOWNLOAD PDF ~
Meet some of the young people awaiting forever families here in Lucas County.
>> For More Information
We Respond 24 Hours A Day
Report Child Abuse or Neglect: (419) 213-CARE (2273)
Child safety is Lucas County Children Services’ top priority. Experienced screeners will answer calls about suspected child abuse or neglect 24/7.
>> For More Information
Are you experiencing domestic violence?
There are a number of resources in our community to help you protect yourself and your children, and to help you make a plan to get out.
>> LCCS Community Resource Guide (PDF download)