Cedric Lofton
Cedric Lofton was 17 and a foster child whose family said he loved his family and his job, wrote songs and poetry, and liked to sing. In September 2021, after his foster father called for help because he was hallucinating, police took him to the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center in Wichita, Kansas, where staff restrained him face-down, with restraints on his ankles and wrists, for more than 30 minutes until he became unresponsive. He died at a hospital two days later. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide from complications of cardiopulmonary arrest after a physical struggle while restrained prone; the district attorney declined to file charges citing Kansas's stand-your-ground law. A federal civil jury later found five detention employees liable and awarded his estate $8.3 million, and the county said it is reviewing the verdict.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The chief medical examiner ruled the death a homicide after staff restrained Cedric Lofton face-down, but the district attorney declined charges, and his family's lawsuit says staff ignored his mental health crisis and medical needs while county officials say staff followed policy.
Reported by: Sedgwick County chief medical examiner (autopsy) (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawsuit and attorneys (family or their lawyers); federal civil jury.
Lawsuit: His family sued over his death, and a federal jury awarded his estate $8.3 million in February 2026 against five detention employees, while Sedgwick County later agreed to pay $10.3 million in settlement.
News reports (29)
- News report
- Wichita death spurs call for alternative to incarceration of teenagers
- Kansas teen dies after he was restrained at juvenile facility, prompting investigation
- Investigators ask for patience, caution against misinformation after teen’s in-custody death
- Parents of Cedric Lofton demand release of video after teen’s in-custody death
- A child in crisis died in juvenile custody. How can Wichita prevent it from happening again?
- A Black Kansas teen's death while in custody was a homicide, according to autopsy
- Autopsy: Death of teen in custody in Kansas a homicide
- Death of Black Kansas teen at juvenile jail ruled a homicide
- DA: Homicide opinion in death of Kan. teen not a legal determination
- Black teen held in prone position, sat on for over 20 minutes before in-custody death, lawyer says
- Bodycam footage released of teen who died after being restrained at Wichita juvenile center
- Sedgwick County releases surveillance video of struggle prior to teenager's death
- Video shows struggle that preceded restrained teen's death
- Video shows juvenile facility staff held Black teen facedown before his death
- Kansas governor orders investigation into death of Black teen restrained at juvenile center
- Disturbing Video Captures Kansas Juvenile Detention Staff Restraining Black Teen Facedown for 30 Minutes Before His Death. DA Cites 'Stand Your Ground' as Reason No Charges Will Be Filed.
- ‘Supposed to rehabilitate’: What to know about the Sedgwick County facility where Cedric Lofton was restrained
- FBI reviewing case of Kan. teen who died at juvenile facility
- Police said Kan. teen didn't need medical help before his death
- Kansas Looks Toward Reform After Killing of Cedric Lofton
- Lawsuit: Death of Black Teen at Juvenile Center Foreshadowed
- Autopsy: Death of Black Kansas teen in custody was homicide
- Federal appeals court allows Kansas excessive force lawsuit to proceed in 2021 death of juvenile
- Opinion: Death of Kansas teen, and failure to prosecute, demands accountability
- Jury awards Cedric Lofton estate millions in excessive force verdict
- 5 Kan. corrections officers held liable in restraint-related death of juvenile
- Jury awards millions to Kan. family for in-custody death of teen at juvenile center
- Sedgwick County Commission approves $10.3M Cedric Lofton settlement