Franklin County Grand Jury Returns Indictment in Reynoldsburg Child Death Case

Posted on 4/28/2025

Defendant: Linwood Allison Jr & Kailee Smith-Parks

Today, a Franklin County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Linwood Allison Jr., 20, and Kailee Smith-Parks, 19, in connection with the death of  4-year-old Ja’Kai Smith in Reynoldsburg. The indictment includes charges of Aggravated Murder, Murder for both defendants. The Grand Jury indicted Smith-Parks on 20 counts of Endangering Children, Allison Jr. on 22 counts of Endangering Children.
 
Background
 
The charges stem from abuse by Smith-Parks, his mother, and Allison Jr. that began on March 21 until Ja’Kai’s death on April 10. Allison Jr. and Smith-Parks were caught on surveillance footage allegedly hurting Ja’Kai. On April 10, was taken to Mount Carmel Hospital by his mother and was transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital where he died.
 
Both Smith-Parks and Allison Jr. will be arraigned Wednesday, April 30.