Takoda’s Call grassroots group seeks answers, solutions after death of 10-year-old boy in Dayton

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Community concern about the death of a 10-year-old Takoda Collins is spurring a grassroots effort to find answers and prevent a repeat with any other child.

Takoda died shortly after police found him not breathing at his father’s house in Kensington Drive in Dayton. Later, investigators said he was a victim of abuse and torture.

News Center 7's Mike Campbell looks closer at the group Takoda's Call and how it plans to help protect other children.

Some of the people who formed the group came Tuesday to the Montgomery County commission meeting at the county administration building in downtown Dayton.

Commissioners did speak briefly about the Takoda Collins case.

“We are horrified and saddened by the death of this young boy, Takoda Collins,” Commission President Judy Dodge said.

>> Records show abuse of dead 10-year-old boy may have gone on for years

Takoda’s father, Al McLean, 31, is in jail. He is charged with abuse, assault and rape.

McLean’s fiancee Amanda Hinze, 30, and her sister Jennifer Ebert, 28, who also lived in the home, are facing child endangering charges.

News Center 7 has uncovered a series of calls from Robin Collins, Takoda’s mother, urging police and Children Services to investigate Takoda’s living conditions.

>> Call audio: Mother reports suspected abuse months before 10-year-old boy’s death

News Center 7 also uncovered documentation that employees of Dayton Public Schools repeatedly expressed concerns about the boy’s welfare.

“You hear these tragic stories, and I’m like, I can’t take it anymore. I have got to do something,” Polly Parks said.

She is one of dozens of people involved in Takoda’s Call.

>> ‘Everybody let Takoda down,’ grandmother says of 10-year-old boy’s death

The group held a public organizing meeting over the weekend.

Parks said she came to the county commission meeting looking both for answers and solutions.

“We need to work together,” she said. “I think everybody wants the same thing, I hope, that’s children to be safe.”

Because of legal concerns, they won’t hear anything soon.

“We are here to help, but we cannot make any further comments at this time,” Dodge said.

>> RELATED: ‘Locked in the attic naked:’ Dayton 10-year-old abused before death, police say

Takoda’s death remains under investigation, and there is no time line for internal investigations into the handling of reports regarding him.

>> County reviews Children Services’ handling of 10-year-old who died after alleged abuse

County commissioners and the prosecutor’s office  have said that investigations will take as long as they need to help avoid another child’s death.

MORE COVERAGE:

>> Dayton teachers reported abuse concerns for years before child’s death

>> Montgomery County prosecutor: ‘This was a cold-blooded murder’

>> Search warrant: Dayton police suspect Taser, spatula, used to abuse 10-year-old

>>  ‘Locked in the attic naked:’ Dayton 10-year-old abused before death, police say

>> 911 call: 10-year-old boy would hurt self, had mental health issues, father said

>> State lawmakers seek independent review of Dayton boy’s death

>> Preliminary autopsy of Dayton 10-year-old shows cuts, bruises all over body

>> Family of dead Dayton 10-year-old locked in attic: ‘He just wanted to be loved’

>> Report: Child complained about punishment from dad facing charges after 10-year-old’s death

>> Neighbor ‘never’ saw kids at home where Dayton boy died

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