TOLEDO, Ohio — The discovery of 13-year-old Kei’Mani Latigue’s body at 1101 Miami Street has cast a shadow over the East Side of Toledo. Two weeks ago, investigators found the girl’s body inside the dilapidated house, which had been burned several times and was still standing despite its deteriorating condition. The tragic event has highlighted the growing concerns surrounding neglected properties in the city, particularly in areas where blight has become a persistent issue.
Gary Lenhart, the Community Coordinator for One Voice Toledo, described the situation as a sobering reminder of the dangers that abandoned homes pose to communities. “That home had burnt several times and had not been demoed. It’s a real eye-opener to see what could become and the tragic circumstances a house like that’ll bring if not attended to,” Lenhart said.
Lenhart, who leads community presentations aimed at addressing these issues, emphasized the need for continued efforts to demolish or rehabilitate blighted properties. The City of Toledo has made strides in tackling the problem, having demolished 122 nuisance properties on the East Side alone in the past year. Lenhart believes the solution goes beyond simply removing structures. “I do believe that as a city, county, and community, that’s an issue we really need to take a look at—how we reign in tax-delinquent homes. Many of these homes can be reoccupied. We could get them owner-occupied if we can move to remedy the circumstance they’re presently in,” he said.
Despite efforts to revitalize these neighborhoods, the home where Kei’Mani’s body was found remains a poignant symbol of the problem. Toledo Police have confirmed that Kei’Mani’s father, Darnell Jones, left her body in the house. An autopsy later determined that the teen died from “multiple incised wounds of the neck,” with her death being ruled a homicide. The discovery prompted a swift response from law enforcement. The following day, Jones was shot by police in Columbus and taken into custody on charges of murder in Toledo and felonious assault in Columbus.
Lenhart continues to stress the importance of addressing the issue head-on. “But if it’s a blight on the neighborhood and we cannot repair that home and make it occupied again, we really need to get them removed for the safety of the community,” he said.
As part of the ongoing efforts to address blight, the City of Toledo announced that it would begin preparing the property at 1101 Miami Street for demolition. On April 8, 2025, the city began fencing off the site to secure it before the demolition process begins. In a show of respect for the tragedy, all memorial items left in honor of Kei’Mani have been carefully moved to an adjacent property, ensuring that they will not be disturbed.
At the time of the article’s publication, Jones remained hospitalized after being shot by police and had not yet appeared in court to face the charges against him. The community continues to reel from the grief of the loss, with many hoping that the city’s efforts to remove blighted homes will bring a sense of safety and closure to neighborhoods affected by these neglected properties.
The tragic murder of Kei’Mani Latigue has shone a spotlight on the broader issue of urban blight in Toledo. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise when homes are left abandoned and neglected, with the safety of communities hanging in the balance. As the city works to clear these eyesores, residents like Lenhart remain hopeful that more can be done to restore these homes and the neighborhoods they occupy.