DAYTON — An attorney representing the estate of Takoda Collins says the estate has reached a multi-million-dollar settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit it filed against Montgomery County.
Attorney Michael Wright told WHIO Monday evening, “We met with county people and attorneys and came to a financial settlement. We settled for $3.25 million … I think it’s reasonable and fair for this matter. Everyone wanted to get this resolved. I spoke to (Takoda’s) grandmother. They are relieved this portion of this is over.
>> Previous Coverage: Takoda Collins’ estate sues county, says his death was a ‘catastrophic failure’
Lawyers representing the Collins estate listed Montgomery County Commissioners and the county’s children services agency among its defendants in the civil suit that they filed in October.
Cleveland-based lawyer, Thomas P. Mannion with the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, is representing Montgomery County in the civil case. WHIO reached out to Mannion for comment Monday night but has not heard back as of yet.
The Collins estate also has a separate wrongful death lawsuit it filed against Dayton Children’s Hospital in December. That civil case is still pending as of tonight.
>> Previous Coverage: Takoda Collins’ estate sues Dayton Children’s Hospital saying social worker ignored red flags
Wright went on to say of the settlement with Montgomery County, “They (the county) don’t necessarily admit fault, but the resolution was such that it was apparent there were deficiencies that led to his death … I hope this will result in policy and procedure changes so it does not happen to anyone else.”
Last year, a News Center 7 I-Team investigation uncovered last year that a lack of communication between multiple public agencies involved in Takoda Collins’ welfare case may have led to a systemic failure that played a role in his death in December 2019.
Now, the I-Team is pushing Ohio lawmakers for answers about legislation spurred by Takoda’s death. News Center 7′s Jim Otte is asking where those efforts stand and what’s next for those proposed changes at the statehouse in Columbus? You can see the results of his I-Team investigation Wednesday beginning at 5:00 on News Center 7.
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