Toledo, OHIO – A man accused of murdering his 13-year-old daughter in Toledo was taken into custody in Columbus after a dramatic SWAT operation on Tuesday morning. The suspect, identified by the Columbus Division of Police as 33-year-old Darnell Jones, was apprehended following a confrontation that left him injured after being shot by a SWAT officer.
Jones, who also uses the surname Ogletree, had been wanted by the Toledo Police Department for murder and abduction after the body of his daughter, Kei’Mani Latigue, was discovered inside an abandoned home in Toledo on Sunday. Authorities say the young girl was found “suffering from apparent fatal injuries.”
In addition to the murder charge, Jones was facing a warrant for third-degree felony abduction, accused of taking his daughter from her home without the consent of her guardian. Police say Jones made “inconsistent statements” regarding his and Kei’Mani’s whereabouts, leading investigators to believe he was involved in her disappearance. He was reportedly the last person seen with her before she vanished.
According to a statement from Columbus police, SWAT officers had been tracking Jones for at least two days after receiving tips he might be in the city. Early Tuesday morning, Jones was located in the Victorian Village neighborhood, where the SWAT team moved in to arrest him.
Sgt. James Fuqua of the Columbus Division of Police confirmed that during the operation, Jones was shot by a SWAT officer. He was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital, though the extent of his injuries has not been released. The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol in such cases.
The investigation into the murder of Kei’Mani Latigue has rocked the Toledo community, with local authorities and residents alike grappling with the tragedy. As Jones faces charges related to his daughter’s death, questions remain about the circumstances leading up to her murder and the motive behind the alleged abduction.
The case is ongoing, and Toledo police are expected to continue their investigation as they work to bring justice to the young victim and her grieving family.