County granted custody of toddler who was living with Takoda Collins

DAYTON — Montgomery County Children’s Services has been granted temporary custody of a 3-year-old who lived in the same house where Takoda Collins was found not breathing in December.

Collins died Dec. 13. His father, Al McLean, his fiancée Amanda Hinze and her sister Jennifer Ebert are charged in connection to the investigation.

Jo’siah Nichols, 3, was removed from the home following Collins’ death. There are no accusations that he was abused in the home.

Investigators believe Jo’siah Nichols is the half-brother of McLean, who is facing four counts of endangering children, two counts felonious assault, and one count rape of a child younger than 13.

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A court and Children Services investigation found that Jo’siah Nichols is the son of Tamekia Nichols, who may be in Tennessee but has not maintained contact with Children Services.

Nichols’ father is not known.

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It’s believed that Tamekia Nichols left her son with McLean in April 2018.

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The report indicates that Jo’siah Nichols has several developmental delays and is currently placed in a therapeutic foster care.

We’re working to search through additional court records and will update this story with more information as it becomes available.