Takoda Collins’ death prompts changes in Dayton Police Department

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The death of Takoda Collins has resulted in changes in how Dayton police handle welfare checks, according to a department spokesperson.

The department conducted an administrative review on how the calls were handled, which then led to recommended changes to the Juvenile Welfare Check policy.

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

An officer will not complete a memo when they are called to do a welfare check in addition to contacting Children Services.

Additional follow-up is required by police personnel if the welfare check results in no answer at the door

After Collins’ death in December, a police investigation revealed Collins faced “extreme abuse for an extended period of time” inflicted by his father, Al-Mutahan McLean, according to court documents.

>>RELATED:  Records sealed as prosecutor says investigation in Takoda Collins’ death ongoing

Records also revealed that Dayton Public Schools staff reported concerns regarding abuse for years before Collins’ death. McClean removed the boy from Horace Mann Elementary School in May 2018 after a school employee reported abuse concerns to Dayton police and Montgomery County Children Service.

In a incident reported on May 11, 2018, a teacher called law enforcement saying she suspected abuse and feared for Collins’ safety. police checked the home, but not one answered, according to a report.

The report listed the incident as “closed.”

>> RELATED: Prosecutor: Reforms needed to end ‘shroud of secrecy’ in child abuse cases

Another incident was reported in 2016 after Collins’ brother, who was 9 at the time, ran away from home. When he was found, the body told police his father made him do squats while holding a heavy backpack. He wasn’t able to tell police how long the punishment lasted. McLean reportedly told police that the boy’s punishment was to stand in the corner.

The officer said he reported all of the statements to a Children Services employee, who the report said made a referral that “would be forwarded to her supervisor.”

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