The Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services Wednesday opened an internal investigation into the county's Children’s Services agency's handling of the Takoda Collins case.
The 10-year-old died in December amid reports of abuse and neglect, allegedly at the hands of Collins’s father Al-Mutahan McLean.
McLean and two other adults are charged with multiple counts of abuse, including assault and child endangerment. McLean is also charged with rape of a child under the age of 13.
Collins' death sparked outcry, including from some Dayton Public Schools' teachers and staff who previously reported suspicions of child abuse, and calls for lawmakers to reform the state's homeschooling system.
McLean removed his son from DPS to be homeschooled in 2018.
The county’s internal review is separate from an ongoing criminal investigation by the Dayton Police Department into Collins’ death.
It’s also separate from any review by the state Department of Job and Family Services.
The county declined WYSO's requests for comment on the internal review.
In an emailed statement, County Commission President Judy Dodge said commissioners directed County Administrator Michael Colbert to begin the internal review on Jan. 2, 2020.
"We were all horrified and saddened by the death of Takoda Collins. No child should be subjected to the abuse and pain he suffered in his short life. While we cannot discuss confidential case information or the ongoing investigation surrounding his death, the County Commissioners have launched an internal review into how our Children Services agency handled reports of abuse and neglect in this case," Dodge said in the statement.
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