‘Domestic violence is real:’ Social media posts, court records show teen shooting victim’s calls for help

DAYTON — Less than two weeks before her death, LaShonda Childs posted “domestic violence is real” on her Facebook page.

The 17-year-old was shot Tuesday and died early Wednesday morning.

Trendell Goodwin, Childs’ ex-boyfriend, was arrested Tuesday evening.

On Thursday, the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office approved charges of murder (two counts), felonious assault (three counts) and improper discharge of a firearm (two counts) against Goodwin.

Childs’ Sept. 21 post urged people to not ignore signs of domestic violence.

The entire post said:

“All jokes aside tho, everybody want a crazy n**** until he got you hiding & dodging bullets. If you see the signs don't ignore it y'all. Domestic violence is real not just in movies. This n**** done broke several phones, busted windows out, followed me from my house to wherever, bit me several times, threw me into walls, made me walk places with a gun to my back, put all my stuff in a sewer, held me hostage in a house & didn't let me leave, sat & waited at abandoned houses & watched me, pulled my whole sew in off leaving bald spots all that, now he done set my hair on fire & shot my house up that ain't even half the s*** he did but I'm telling y'all that ain't where it's at If y'all see the signs don't ignore it i should've left that n**** a long time ago now I ain't even safe in my own house..”

The post has been shared more 42,000 times as of when this article was written.

Trenny Mack, Goodwin’s Facebook username, responded to the post and comments by other users.

The comments have been taken down, but were screenshot beforehand.

“If y’all really believe this s*** y’all sick,” read a comment by Goodwin. “This the 12th or 13th time she said I did something but still coming back. Stop it.”

When one person commented that Goodwin should let Childs “breathe” he responded, “I’m a let her breathe today. She better come home tomorrow tho, I gotta big day planned and some good news.”

On Sept. 21, Childs posted that Goodwin stole her phone and set her on fire.

“I’m sick of this s*** he on some ‘if I can’t have her nobody can,’” the post said.

A review of court records by this news organization revealed Childs and her family also went to police for help related to Goodwin on multiple occasions.

Goodwin was on probation for a misdemeanor assault case against Childs and was ordered not to see her when he allegedly pulled her hair and wig, set it on fire and threw it at her causing burns last month.

On Sept. 13, 2018, Goodwin caused “burn injuries” to Childs during a robbery attempt at Childs’ North Upland Avenue residence, according to an affidavit and statement of facts written by a Dayton police detective.

>> Court records: Man had history of violence against teen who was shot to death

“Mr. Goodwin caught Ms. Childs on her front porch and tried to pull her by the hair,” Det. Justin Ellis wrote in an effort to establish probable cause for an arrest warrant. “Her hair had been a wig and was pulled off. After noticing it was a wig Mr. Goodwin lit the wig on fire and threw it onto Ms. Childs causing burns to her left bicep.

“The burning sensation caused her to drop her phone. Mr. Goodwin picked the phone up and fled the scene. Mr. Goodwin has been sending threatening comments to Ms. Childs and Ms. Childs’ friends and relatives since this incident.”

A termination entry in that case was filed Sept. 20 which said, “Upon application of the Prosecuting Attorney and for good cause shown,” the case was dismissed without prejudice.

Court records show that in February 2018, Goodwin assaulted Childs by “striking, biting, kicking, and pulling her hair,” which matched Facebook posts from Childs’ page.

On Sept. 10, 2018, Dayton Municipal Court Judge Daniel Gehres ordered an additional year of probation for Goodwin and continued an April decision for a criminal protection order that Goodwin was to stay 500 feet away from Childs. The order also prohibited Goodwin from contacting Childs by telephone.

On April 24, 2018, Gehres released Goodwin from the Electronic Home Detention Program (EHDP). Before that, the judge allowed Goodwin work release privileges while on EHDP.

Municipal court clerks said some court documents in the case were in Gehres’ office when this news organization requested copies. A message seeking access to those dockets left with Gehres’ office was not immediately returned.

Goodwin also abducted Childs at a Crest Drive residence on Jan. 31, 2018, according to a complaint and affidavit filed in Dayton Municipal Court.

“Trendell Goodwin slapped his girlfriend, LaShonda Childs in the face after she told him she was leaving to hang out with a friend,” Dayton police officer Sara VonHolle wrote. “The argument escalated until Goodwin threatened to knock out Childs. Goodwin then kicked Childs out of the residence with little clothing.

“After Childs attempted to make contact with neighbors she returned to the residence in an attempt to retrieve clothing and shoes. Goodwin then dragged Childs into the residence and would not allow her to leave.

“When DPD arrived on scene Childs could be heard from inside the residence yelling that he would not let her out. To affect the arrest, DPD forced entry into the home where Goodwin was taken into custody.”

Municipal Court records show that the case was presented to a grand jury for possible felony charges, but a termination entry was filed Feb. 9, 2018 that showed no counts moved forward. “Case ignored by the grand jury,” the entry read.