Ohio Father Indicted in Death of 13-Year-Old Daughter Kei’Mani Latigue

Law enforcement has charged an individual with multiple offenses including aggravated murder, rape, and other serious crimes, as outlined in a grand jury filing from March 17-18, 2025.

TOLEDO, OHIO- A Lucas County grand jury has officially indicted Darnell Jones, the man accused of abducting and murdering his 13-year-old daughter, Kei'Mani Latigue, in a case that has devastated the Toledo community.

Jones, also known as Darnell Ogletree, now faces over a dozen charges including aggravated murder, rape, kidnapping, aggravated burglary, child endangerment, gross abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. These charges stem from the horrifying events that allegedly unfolded between March 17 and March 18, 2025, according to the grand jury filing.

If convicted, Jones could face the death penalty, as outlined by the Ohio Revised Code.

Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates called it “one of the most heinous sets of facts I’ve seen in more than 40 years working in the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office.”

She added, “We are determined to deliver justice for Kei'Mani Latigue and everyone in our community affected by this tragedy. If not this case, then which case?”

This indictment marks the first time formal sexual abuse allegations have been listed in the court proceedings. Law enforcement in Lucas County had not previously confirmed that element, though earlier reports from Columbus authorities mentioned such abuse. Investigators now believe the crimes occurred over 24 to 48 hours before Kei’Mani was reported missing.

Timeline of Events

• March 17-18, 2025: The indictment alleges this is when the abduction and murder occurred.

• March 18, 2025: Toledo Police announced Kei’Mani was missing.

• March 19, 2025: Jones spoke with local media alongside Kei'Mani’s grandmother, Dorothy Latigue. He claimed she called him after hearing noises in the home and said she was scared.

• March 21, 2025: The community organized a search party for the missing teen.

• That same day, Jones allegedly asked his then-girlfriend to turn off security cameras at their home. A family member reported seeing him hiding a mat beneath the stairs.

• March 23, 2025: Prosecutors filed an abduction charge against Jones.

• March 24, 2025: Kei’Mani’s body was discovered in an abandoned home on Miami Street in Toledo.

• March 25, 2025: SWAT officers located Jones in Columbus. He was shot during a confrontation after allegedly reaching for a firearm. He survived and was hospitalized.

Jones had previously told police he last saw Kei’Mani at 12:30 a.m. on March 17, saying she had asked him to come over because she was scared. The investigation now indicates he allegedly dragged her to an abandoned property and committed unthinkable acts before leaving her there.

Kei’Mani’s case has rocked the community. Residents, school staff, and youth advocates have expressed heartbreak and anger, calling for maximum justice.

Jones is being held on capital charges and remains in custody. His next court appearance is pending.