Kansas Jury Grants $8M to Family of Teen Who Passed Away at Juvenile Intake Center

Jurors have awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Kansas foster teen who tragically died in 2021 after being held facedown for 39 minutes at a juvenile intake center during a mental health crisis.

In a federal court trial in Wichita, jurors determined that five juvenile officers in Sedgwick County either used excessive force on Cedric “C.J.” Lofton or failed to intervene when they should have. This decision was reached on Wednesday, highlighting serious concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in crisis.

John Marrese, the attorney representing Lofton’s brother and estate, expressed satisfaction that jurors dismissed the defense’s claims that Lofton’s death was due to “excited delirium.” This controversial diagnosis has been discredited by major medical associations, with critics arguing it has often been misused to justify excessive force by law enforcement.

“It’s a significant development in the context of prolonged prone restraint, as the jury recognized its dangers and potential fatal consequences,” Marrese stated.

Sedgwick County, the employer of the officers involved, released a statement on Wednesday indicating that they are reviewing the verdict and considering their next steps.

Lofton passed away in a hospital on September 26, 2021, just one day before his 18th birthday. The final autopsy report classified his death as a homicide. However, Marc Bennett, the district attorney, later noted that the state’s “stand-your-ground” law hindered him from pursuing charges of involuntary manslaughter, as the staff members were deemed to be acting in self-defense.

Lofton’s mental health had significantly declined following a trip to Texas for his grandmother’s funeral. He reportedly told a foster brother that he believed his classmates were “murderous robots,” as detailed in Bennett’s report.

After Lofton’s foster father took him to a mental health provider, the teen fled. When he returned home at 1 a.m. the next day, his foster father called the Wichita police for assistance.

Body camera footage revealed that officers spent nearly an hour attempting to convince Lofton to allow them to take him to a mental hospital. However, the 5-foot-10, 135-pound (1.7-meter, 61-kilogram) teenager refused to cooperate.

Ultimately, the officers decided to take him into custody forcibly, using a device known as the WRAP, which includes a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints, and ankle straps. A sergeant later assessed that Lofton was too combative to be transported to the hospital, leading officers to take him to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center instead.

After the WRAP restraint was removed, Lofton scuffled with staff, who then shackled his ankles and placed him facedown on the floor. Paramedics were called when staff noticed he was not breathing, but he tragically died two days later.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Jurors have awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Kansas foster teen who tragically died in 2021 after being held facedown for 39 minutes at a juvenile intake center during a mental health crisis.

In a federal court trial in Wichita, jurors determined that five juvenile officers in Sedgwick County either used excessive force on Cedric “C.J.” Lofton or failed to intervene when they should have. This decision was reached on Wednesday, highlighting serious concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in crisis.

John Marrese, the attorney representing Lofton’s brother and estate, expressed satisfaction that jurors dismissed the defense’s claims that Lofton’s death was due to “excited delirium.” This controversial diagnosis has been discredited by major medical associations, with critics arguing it has often been misused to justify excessive force by law enforcement.

“It’s a significant development in the context of prolonged prone restraint, as the jury recognized its dangers and potential fatal consequences,” Marrese stated.

Sedgwick County, the employer of the officers involved, released a statement on Wednesday indicating that they are reviewing the verdict and considering their next steps.

Lofton passed away in a hospital on September 26, 2021, just one day before his 18th birthday. The final autopsy report classified his death as a homicide. However, Marc Bennett, the district attorney, later noted that the state’s “stand-your-ground” law hindered him from pursuing charges of involuntary manslaughter, as the staff members were deemed to be acting in self-defense.

Lofton’s mental health had significantly declined following a trip to Texas for his grandmother’s funeral. He reportedly told a foster brother that he believed his classmates were “murderous robots,” as detailed in Bennett’s report.

After Lofton’s foster father took him to a mental health provider, the teen fled. When he returned home at 1 a.m. the next day, his foster father called the Wichita police for assistance.

Body camera footage revealed that officers spent nearly an hour attempting to convince Lofton to allow them to take him to a mental hospital. However, the 5-foot-10, 135-pound (1.7-meter, 61-kilogram) teenager refused to cooperate.

Ultimately, the officers decided to take him into custody forcibly, using a device known as the WRAP, which includes a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints, and ankle straps. A sergeant later assessed that Lofton was too combative to be transported to the hospital, leading officers to take him to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center instead.

After the WRAP restraint was removed, Lofton scuffled with staff, who then shackled his ankles and placed him facedown on the floor. Paramedics were called when staff noticed he was not breathing, but he tragically died two days later.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.