An Ohio man who allegedly killed his 13-year-old daughter last week reportedly concealed evidence related to the case.
Darnell Jones’ girlfriend reportedly told police that Jones called her on March 21 about turning off the home cameras. The girlfriend — who claimed she did not turn off the cameras — also recounted being in the bedroom when a family member witnessed Jones, 33, move items from his SUV to the basement, under a flight of stairs, according to WTVG.
Jones’ girlfriend told the news outlet that she called the police, who obtained a search warrant and seized the items. She also claimed that she never saw Jones after the items were seized.
READ: Slain 13-Year-Old Girl Was Raped, Nearly Decapitated & Had Hands Cut Off
“It was like a mat for the back of your truck, not a pickup, but an SUV. You know when you lay your seats down and you put that rubber mat in there to protect your back your seats in case you’re hauling something? That’s what he rolled up and put in my basement, and his work boots which were caked with mud — and he hasn’t worked in a while,” she recalled.
Jones’ daughter, Kei’mani Latigue, vanished from her Toledo home on March 17. A week later, she was found dead on the second floor of a burned-out house. Lucas County coroners said she died from multiple incised wounds of the neck. According to Columbus police Lieutenant Brian Steel, she was raped, had her hands severed, and her throat nearly cut off.
The same day Latigue’s body was discovered, an arrest warrant was issued for Jones for child abduction. He is now charged with murder, felonious assault, and third-degree felony abduction.
Before his arrest, Jones said he last saw Latigue on March 16 after she called and said she was afraid to be home alone. However, police said Jones provided inconsistent accounts of his correspondence with his daughter or her whereabouts.
Jones reportedly called his girlfriend from Columbus. The girlfriend told WTVG that she informed police of his whereabouts.
On Tuesday, Jones was shot during a SWAT standoff in Columbus which ended with his arrest. A local police officer shot Jones after he allegedly brandished a gun during an altercation with a SWAT officer.
Jones’ arraignment hearing scheduled for Wednesday was postponed because he remains hospitalized in stable condition. A motive remains undisclosed.
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[Feature Photo: Handout]