The death of a Black 17-year-old who died after being restrained by multiple officers at juvenile jail facility in Kansas has been ruled a homicide.
An autopsy report released Monday indicated that Cedric "CJ" Lofton died of "complications of cardiopulmonary arrest sustained after physical struggle while restrained in the prone position."
The autopsy report also indicated that Lofton was positive for COVID-19 and his drug screen was positive for cannabinoids.
Lofton died in the hospital on September 26, two days after being restrained at the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center.
The teenager ended up in the detention center on September 24 after being booked on four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
According to police, Lofton's foster father called 911 that day saying his son was having a mental breakdown and he wanted the teen to be evaluated for mental health issues. Officers responded and were trying to persuade Lofton to voluntarily seek treatment at a local hospital when he allegedly assaulted the officers.
While in custody at the detention center, police said Lofton got into another struggle, during which he allegedly punched a staff member in the head. Staff eventually restrained Lofton, shackled his ankles and rolled him into the prone position with his chest down on the ground.
Lofton "continued to struggle while restrained by staff," according to the autopsy report, so handcuffs were applied with his hands behind his back. After that, Lofton "calmed down, making occasional snoring sounds." Three minutes later when staff members checked Lofton, they were unable to find a pulse, according to the report.
Staff began CPR and called for an ambulance. Lofton was taken to the hospital where he died two days later.
In a statement, attorneys said the autopsy report confirms the family's suspicion that the teenager was murdered.
"As supported by the video evidence, these individuals unjustifiably and with excessive and unreasonable force pinned Cedric to the ground, ultimately killing the unarmed, 135-pound, 17-year-old African American teenager," attorneys Steven Hart and Andrem Stroth said in a statement to KNS. "Cedric's death was caused by the hands of the very authorities that were obligated to protect him and make sure he was safe. Instead, they killed him with conscious disregard for the young life in their keeping. This is a tragedy of epic proportions!"
The Sedgwick County Corrections employees involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending results of the District Attorney's investigation, which is ongoing.
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