On March 24, 2025, the Toledo, Ohio community received heartbreaking news that brought a somber end to the search for 13-year-old Keimani Latigue. The young girl, who had been missing since March 16, captured the attention of her family, friends, and strangers alike as they rallied to find her. What began as a desperate effort to locate a beloved teenager has now turned into a story of grief, unanswered questions, and a father facing serious charges. This blog explores the latest developments in Keimani’s case, reflecting on her life, the search efforts, and the devastating discovery that has left a family shattered.
Keimani Latigue was last seen in the early hours of March 18, though some reports indicate she may have disappeared as early as the evening of March 16. Living with her grandmother, Dorothy Latigue, in North Toledo, Keimani was described as a responsible and loving child. Her grandmother called her a “latchkey kid,” someone trusted with her own keys and a phone for emergencies. That trust made her absence all the more alarming when Dorothy returned home from work to find the house in disarray—an unlocked door, a stove left on with the smell of gas lingering, and Keimani’s glasses and clothes scattered about. For a girl who couldn’t see without her glasses and never left without notifying someone, these signs pointed to something sinister.
The community sprang into action. By March 21, family, friends, and volunteers organized a search party, meeting at a McDonald’s parking lot on East Manhattan Boulevard. They combed a three-mile radius around Keimani’s home, handing out flyers and knocking on doors. Her mother, Tiara Kasten, traveled from Cleveland to join the effort, her desperation palpable as she told WTOL 11, “I have not slept in three days. I have not eaten in three days.” Keimani’s father, Darnell Jones, was among the last to see her, claiming she had called him late Sunday night, afraid of being alone after hearing noises that suggested a break-in. He and a cousin stayed with her briefly before leaving around 12:30 a.m. on March 18. That was the last known contact with Keimani.
As the days passed, suspicion grew. Toledo Police investigated, and on March 23, they charged Darnell Jones, 33, with third-degree felony abduction. Court records revealed an arrest warrant, citing inconsistent statements from Jones about his time with Keimani, supported by phone records and surveillance footage. The affidavit painted a troubling picture: Jones was the last person seen with his daughter before she vanished. The community held its breath, hoping for a miracle, but the search took a grim turn on March 24.
That Monday afternoon, police discovered a body in an abandoned house on Miami Street in East Toledo, near Wilmot. Keimani’s grandmother confirmed to WTOL 11 that it was her granddaughter, though authorities initially labeled the body “unidentified,” pending confirmation from the Lucas County Coroner’s Office. The scene was chaotic—Tiara Kasten collapsed in grief as the body was removed, pleading for answers: “I just want to know if it’s my baby. They’re still not telling me nothing.” The discovery crushed the hopes of a family and a community that had tirelessly searched for the “funny, happy-go-lucky kid” described by her loved ones.
The circumstances surrounding Keimani’s death remain unclear as of this writing. The coroner’s report will determine the cause and manner, but the focus has shifted to Darnell Jones, who remains at large with an active warrant. Posts on X and local news outlets like 13abc.com and wtol.com reflect a mix of sorrow and outrage, with many questioning how a father could be involved in such a tragedy. The house where Keimani was found had reportedly burned, adding another layer of mystery to an already complex case.
Keimani Latigue’s story is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of a community united in crisis. Her family’s pain is unimaginable, compounded by the betrayal of a trusted figure now accused in her disappearance. As Toledo mourns, the call for justice grows louder. Anyone with information is urged to contact Toledo Police at 419-255-1111. For Keimani, the search is over, but the quest for truth has only begun.