Manchester, Plummer Introduce Bill to Improve Child Welfare Services

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) today introduced House Bill 4, legislation that addresses child services to prevent abuse cases from falling through the cracks.

Plummer noted the case of 10-year-old Takoda Collins, who tragically died in 2019 after years of child abuse. According to records from the Montgomery County Dispatch Center, a Dayton Public School employee reported their concerns of abuse in 2018. 

“The current system failed Takoda, and we have a responsibility to make sure this never happens again,” said Plummer. 

The legislation requires cross reporting from public children services and law enforcement. Public children services are also required to prepare a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines their standard policy of handling cases of child abuse. The MOU must be reviewed and signed off annually by representatives of the county, as well as annually audited by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to ensure compliance. 

“It’s our priority to protect children who cannot protect themselves,” said Manchester. “Making these common-sense changes will strengthen Ohio’s child welfare services and help prevent future tragedies.”

H.B. 4 now awaits referral to a House committee.