GRATIS — Gratis leaders fired their police chief more than a month after she and one of her officers showed up at schools claiming to be with ICE.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, dozens of village residents attended the council meeting on Thursday.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Family speaks out after murder charge filed in 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum’s death
- Motorcyclist seriously injured after crashing into pickup truck in Dayton
- Children of man accused of killing wife could be called to testify in murder trial
They all wanted to hear the decision leaders made about Police Chief Tonina Lamanna and Officer Jeffrey Baylor.
>>RELATED: Officers accused of entering Cincinnati schools, claiming to be with ICE speak out
As previously reported, Lamanna and Baylor visited schools in Cincinnati to conduct wellness checks on behalf of ICE on April 15.
Shortly after that, the village opened an internal investigation and put Lamanna and Baylor on paid administrative leave.
On Thursday, the village council accepted Baylor’s resignation.
The meeting agenda indicates that his resignation is effective May 28.
>>RELATED: Village votes on formal investigation into officers who claimed to visit schools on behalf of ICE
News Center 7 obtained the document recommending Lamanna’s termination, written by Mayor Kevin Johnson.
“After review of operational practices, the investigation of Clemans & Nelson, and the predisciplinary hearing, it is my recommendation that the Village move forward with termination of the Police Chief Tonina Lamanna based upon a pattern of conduct demonstrating poor judgment, failure of leadership, and mismanagement of departmental responsibilities,” Johnson wrote.
Some of the reasons for Johnson’s recommendation include:
- Violations of paid administrative leave
- Intimidation or retaliatory conduct toward officers
- Mismanagement of the property room
- False or improper traffic stops
- Actions outside contractual authority regarding ICE
- Mismanagement of department records
- Failure to report possible felonious activity to the mayor
The council voted 4-2 to terminate Lamanna’s employment.
News Center 7’s Malik Patterson tried to talk to Gratis Mayor Kevin Johnson about Lamanna’s termination. However, he didn’t provide a comment.
News Center 7 did ask Johnson if the village would consider dissolving the police department.
“No, I feel like that would be a step back for the village,” Johnson replied.
The council meeting agenda listed that another Gratis police officer had submitted their resignation; however, Johnson confirmed that it is not related to this incident.
“He was only here a month,” Johnson said.
That means the Gratis Police Department only has five active officers.
Village leaders will now have to decide who will be the next police chief.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
