Cedric Lofton
Cedric Lofton, 17, wrote songs and poetry, loved to sing, and hoped to build a music career, his family said. In September 2021 his foster father called for help because he was hallucinating and needed mental health care, but police took him to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center in Wichita, where, according to the family's federal lawsuit, staff held him face-down for more than 30 minutes during an altercation. He died at a hospital on September 26, 2021, and the county medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from cardiopulmonary arrest after a struggle while restrained prone. The district attorney declined to file charges, citing Kansas stand-your-ground law, and the county says its workers followed policy; the family's lawyers dispute that account, and a federal jury in February 2026 found that several officers used excessive force or failed to intervene.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The autopsy ruled the death a homicide from complications of cardiopulmonary arrest after being restrained prone, while the district attorney declined charges citing stand-your-ground law, and his family's federal lawsuit alleges excessive force and deliberate indifference to his medical needs; a federal jury later found officers used excessive force and failed to intervene, and the county has approved a $10.3 million settlement.
Reported by: Sedgwick County chief medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett; his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); federal jury.
Lawsuit: His estate sued in federal court over the excessive force used during his restraint; a federal jury in February 2026 awarded $8.3 million, and in March 2026 Sedgwick County approved a $10.3 million settlement that resolves the claims.
Sources (48)
- News report
- KBI releases new details about teen who died after being restrained at juvenile facility
- Wichita death spurs call for alternative to incarceration of teenagers
- Kansas teen dies after he was restrained at juvenile facility, prompting investigation
- Teen Who Died After Handcuffed at Juvenile Facility Allegedly Hit Staff, Put in Restraint
- 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?
- 17-year-old’s death in custody ruled a homicide by Sedgwick County medical examiner
- A Black Kansas teen's death while in custody was a homicide, according to autopsy
- Autopsy reveals 17-year-old Cedric Lofton’s death in custody ruled a homicide - KSN-TV
- Autopsy: Death of teen in custody in Kansas a homicide
- Death of Black Kansas teen at juvenile jail ruled a homicide
- Death of 17-Year-Old in Custody in Kansas Is Ruled a Homicide (Published 2021)
- DA: Homicide opinion in death of Kan. teen not a legal determination
- Bodycam footage released of teen who died after being restrained at Wichita juvenile center
- Family Of Black Teen Who Died In Juvenile Detention 'Devastated' That No Criminal Charges Will Be Filed
- Sedgwick County releases surveillance video of struggle prior to teenager's death
- Video shows struggle that preceded restrained teen's death
- Video shows struggle that preceded restrained teen’s death
- Video shows struggle that preceded teen’s death in juvenile center
- 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
- Task force: DOJ should investigate Kan. teen's in custody death
- Police said Kan. teen didn't need medical help before his death
- Kansas Looks Toward Reform After Killing of Cedric Lofton
- Brother of Foster Youth Slain by Officers Files Lawsuit
- Lawsuit: Death of Black teen at juvenile center foreshadowed
- Lawsuit: Cedric Lofton’s death at JIAC foreshadowed
- Lawsuit: Death of Cedric Lofton caused by inaction, indifference of local governments
- Family of Cedric Lofton files federal lawsuit against Wichita, Sedgwick County
- Lawsuit: Death of Black Teen at Juvenile Center Foreshadowed
- Suicide is the leading cause of death in Kansas jails. The Sedgwick County Jail is struggling to combat this trend.
- Autopsy: Death of Black Kansas teen in custody was homicide
- Sedgwick County adopts 'use of force' policy changes for Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC)
- 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
- Jury awards $8.3 million to family of a Wichita teen who died in custody
- Sedgwick County approves 10.3M settlement to family of Wichita teen who died in custody
- 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
- Sedgwick County approves $10.3M settlement in death of teen CJ Lofton