After 17-year-old Cedric “CJ” Lofton died in law enforcement custody in September 2021, the community wanted answers. How did this happen? What went wrong? What could be changed to prevent such a thing from happening again? A community task force of 23 members was convened to find those answers and make recommendations for systemic change. […]
juvenile justice
Posted inLocal Government, Watchdog
A few steps forward, a few steps back: Update on the Cedric Lofton task force recommendations
One notable change is Sedgwick County has launched a pilot program embedding mental health workers among the 911 emergency response team. On the opposite side, Sedgwick County has decided to not include “Stand Your Ground” law reform in its legislative agenda.
Posted inLocal Government, Watchdog
Cedric Lofton’s missing headstone and the slow road of justice
In a Wichita cemetery, an unmarked grave is decorated with flowers, pictures and stones that say, “We miss you.” This is where Cedric Lofton is buried. This weekend, as on most holidays, Lofton’s brother Mark Teetz will visit and remember his baby brother.
Posted inLocal Government, Watchdog
Cedric Lofton’s brother wants accountability from Wichita police and Sedgwick County
One year ago, 17-year-old Cedric Lofton died after being held down for over 30 minutes by four workers in a juvenile detention intake facility. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. His foster father had called 911 seeking help for Cedric, who was in a mental health crisis, expecting Cedric would be taken to a […]
Posted inLocal Government
‘Supposed to rehabilitate’: What to know about the Sedgwick County facility where Cedric Lofton was restrained
On Sept. 24, the Wichita Police Department brought 17-year-old Cedric Lofton to Sedgwick County’s Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center, later describing him as “paranoid” and “behaving erratically.” Hours after his arrival, county corrections employees restrained Lofton face-down until he became unresponsive. Two days later, he died in the hospital. His death — which the district attorney […]
Posted inWatchdog
A child in crisis died in juvenile custody. How can Wichita prevent it from happening again?
Update: Sedgwick County corrections employees involved in the death of Cedric “C.J.” Lofton won’t face criminal charges, District Attorney Marc Bennett said during a press conference on Jan. 18, 2022. Lofton, 17, died after becoming unresponsive as Department of Corrections staff restrained him face-down for over 30 minutes. An autopsy ruled Lofton’s death a homicide. […]
Posted inWatchdog
Out of detention, into debt: How fines and fees bury young people in Kansas’ justice system
The moment a case is filed in juvenile court, the dollars owed rack up. There’s a $34 docket fee. Sedgwick County can tack on a law library fee up to $14. Kansas does appoint an attorney for free, but for any following casework the attorney can charge a “reasonable fee,” a number not specified in state law. NyKia Watkins said […]