What Happened To Takoda Collins?

Ohio boy's death sparks discussion about how state agencies operate when it comes to the welfare of children.

The abuse of a 10-year old boy in Dayton, Ohio has the nation talking. The tragic death of Takoda Collins at the hands of his father is terrible. The junk food media here was talking about his death and how the Montgomery County Jobs and Family Services failed at checking on the welfare of the boy.

The Dayton Public Schools had warned the agency that the boy wasn't acting like a normal child.

They were required by law to report any suspicion of child abuse to the local authorities and protective services.

The father was a predator and abusive towards him. His mother who lives in Wisconsin was very concerned that the system failed at placing Takoda with family members outside of him.

He and his live-in girlfriend along with her friend are facing murder charges for the death of Takoda.

Montgomery County prosecutor Matt Heck, Jr. wants to see these individuals get LIFE in the iron college if they're convicted of child endangerment, torture, kidnapping and possible sexual abuse.

The Dayton Police started looking into the death of Takoda back in 2019. They were called to the home on reports of Takado being unresponsive.

The predator, his girlfriend and her sister all face murder charges for the extreme abuse of Takoda Collins.

"Takoda was observed to have multiple cuts and bruises all over his body," the court document says. "

"Takoda was removed to Dayton Children's Hospital and was pronounced (dead). Upon exams of (the boy's body), it was observed that he had bruising to the head."

Through interviews with the predator and two women who lived at the house, the affidavit says, law enforcement learned there was "extreme abuse for an extended amount of time inflicted by (the father)."

"Takoda was locked in the attic naked with no access to the outside or other people for an extended amount of time," the affidavit says.

The 10-year old boy reportedly ate his own feces and was forced to drink a large amount of water and possibly held underwater prior to him dying, the affidavit says.

Tokoda's mother had run-ins also.

The affidavit says the women knew of the matter. They were subjected to beatings and abuse by the predator.

Heck says the women were half-sisters and they lived in the property.

Attempts to reach other family members of Takoda was unsuccessful. The house was a 1-story with a bump-out attic with south facing windows. The attic window facing the street is covered with plywood.

The school district superintendent says Takoda was taken out of school some time last year.

"He was home schooled," said Elizabeth Lolli. School officials didn't have contact with him.

Robin Collins, Takoda's mother condemned the child protective services. She said that she begged Ohio and Wisconsin courts to get her son out of that home.

"I called and did welfare checks on him," Collins said. "I called the cops down there, and just this past summer I was trying to get custody back again, and nobody did anything about it."

She lives in Madison, Wisconsin and she tried to get Dane County Circuit courts to do an emergency hearing to see if she could regain custody of her son.

She believed that predator was abusing her son since he took custody.

"Robin continues to call in well checks. Takoda is being taken care of and still has behavioral issues. [The father] appears to be taken care of his needs with no concerns," a dispatch log from last year said.

The mother had run-ins with the law as well. She was already spending time in the county lockup for abuse to Takoda. Collins admits that she was in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend and the child was injured. She left her boyfriend and moved on. But due to the child abuse charges, she lost custody of her son. She had run-ins with the law from drug abuse and theft.

She is living in Wisconsin with her daughter.

Collins and this predator both had history with legal matters. However, the predator abused his son to the point of death. He had no concerns for the well-being of a child with special needs.

The house of horrors for a 10-year old boy.

No one is perfect. Being a parent is a life-long struggle where folks have to deal with the trials and tribulations of raising a child.

I am suffering through that everyday. I have a three-year old son. I am a "surprise dad."

Something I don't take pride in. I am happy being a father but I hate the circumstances that led to this.

The mother of my son was terrible for not telling me that I had a child. I didn't know I had a child for over six months. I missed out the joys of being a first time parent. That will live with me for the rest of my life.

However, I dust myself off and keep it moving. There's no reason for not to be happy. I enjoy being a parent. Hopefully I will be a parent again when I find the right woman to be with. Never again will I just dive into a relationship. I will take my time before I seek love and companionship.

Those involved could face LIFE in the iron college if convicted.

The suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Note: I chose to leave the names of the suspects out this posting. The mother of Takoda is mentioned briefly because she didn't kill the child.