WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A federal lawsuit filed over the death of a teen at the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center is going to trial next week.
Jury selection begins Tuesday, with the trial expected to start Wednesday.
The lawsuit accuses five detention center employees of using excessive force, failing to intervene, and showing deliberate indifference to the medical needs of Cedric “CJ” Lofton.
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In September 2021, Lofton’s foster father called 911, believing Lofton was experiencing a mental health crisis. When officers arrived, they tried to persuade Lofton to voluntarily seek treatment, but police said he resisted and assaulted officers. He was restrained and taken to the intake center.
A few hours after police left the facility, Lofton had another mental health episode and began fighting with staff, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office. Surveillance video shows him struggling with employees as they forced him into a room…