Ohio teen raped, killed, hands severed, head partially mutilated; Father held after plea for help on TV

The girl's disfigured body was found in a burned-out house in Toledo on Monday, six days after her family had reported her missing.

A man in United States' Ohio who had appeared on television to raise awareness about her disappearance was arrested the next day after a police shootout over the rape and death of his 13-year-old daughter who was found dead with her hands severed and head partially decapitated.

The girl had been living with her grandmother, who was not at home at the time, and two dogs. (Pixabay/Representative)

The girl's disfigured body was found in a burned-out house in Toledo on Monday, six days after her family had reported her missing, according to local news portal WCHM, which added that police described the case as "one of the most horrific" they had encountered.

“This is an absolute animal that came into our town,” WCMH quoted Columbus Police Lt. Brian Steel.

Gory details

The girl, who was just days away from her 14th birthday, was discovered on the second floor of the vacant house, with her hands severed from her body and her head almost severed.

While the girl's family pleaded for help in finding her, her father appeared on local news, claiming he had last seen his daughter on the night of March 16. He stated that she called him, saying she was scared of someone trying to break into the house. He said he drove over to her house around 12:30 am to check on her.

The girl had been living with her grandmother, who was not at home at the time, and two dogs.

The girl's mother said she last saw her daughter on March 15 when Jones dropped her off at her home after a visit. “Apparently my mother gave him permission, and honestly it was just loving on my kid. We play video games,” the girl's mother told WTVG, adding that her routine consisted of going to school, playing basketball, and returning home.

When the girl's grandmother returned home, she found the house in disarray, with the girl underclothes by the couch and her pajamas on the dining room floor, WTVG reported. The stove was on, and the girl's keys and glasses, which she needed to see, were still inside the house, her grieving grandmother recalled.

After the father of the girl provided inconsistent statements to Toledo police regarding his daughter's whereabouts and their activities, officers issued a warrant for his arrest on Sunday. When the girl's body was discovered the following day, her father, who was on the run, was charged with murder and felonious assault.

Authorities have yet to disclose a motive for the gruesome killing.

The man was located in Columbus, about two hours south of Toledo, where he was shot during a SWAT team operation. Police said Jones had a gun, though it remains unclear if he fired at officers. No officers were injured in the incident.

The was hospitalised for surgery, and a vehicle believed to be linked to the case was seized as evidence.

“You pull a gun at officers, as we’ve said many times, this is the outcome you could expect,” WCMH quoted Lt. Steel.

A spokesperson for Toledo Public Schools shared that the girl was set to receive a kindness award this week and had been an honor roll student at Spring Elementary.

“The students and staff at Spring Elementary are saddened by the loss of their friend and classmate, Kei’Maini Latigue,” a TPS spokesperson said.