As a deeply concerned citizen of Ohio, I am taking a stand to ensure the safety of our children and demand accountability from our Child Protective Services (CPS). The tragic and preventable death of Keimani Latigue, a bright young soul from Toledo, underscores the urgent need for transparency and reform within our child protection system.

In 2018 alone, an estimated 678,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. But these are only the reported cases. Many more children suffer in silence, falling through the cracks of a system that is supposed to safeguard their well-being.

To bring meaningful change, we must implement commonsense measures that increase oversight and public confidence in CPS processes.

We are calling for a new law in Ohio that includes the following:

1.Mandatory use of body cameras by all CPS workers during official interactions with families.
These recordings would provide an unbiased account of events, protect both families and workers, and ensure that interactions are conducted with integrity and professionalism.
2. Reference numbers for every call to CPS – whether it's a report of suspected abuse or a follow-up inquiry.
This would empower callers to track their reports, ensure proper documentation, and hold the agency accountable for timely and appropriate responses.
These simple yet powerful safeguards can dramatically improve outcomes, build community trust, and ultimately save lives.

In memory of Keimani Latigue and in honor of every child who deserves safety, dignity, and protection, we urge our lawmakers and fellow citizens to support this initiative. Sign and share this petition. Let your voice be heard.

For the children. For justice. For Keimani.