By Kylie Cameron
The Wichita Eagle
WICHITA, Kan. — Sedgwick County commissioners have approved a $10.3 million civil settlement in the 2021 death of 17-year-old Cedric “CJ” Lofton at the county’s juvenile correctional facility.
A federal jury found earlier last month that five Sedgwick County juvenile corrections officers were liable in the teen’s in-custody prone restraint death.
It awarded Lofton’s estate $8.3 million. The county’s $10.3 million includes the settlement approved by the jury and covers any attorney’s fees from the lengthy civil trial.
“There’s never going to be closure in this type of situation, especially for CJ’s friends, CJ’s brother, Marquan. He’s walked through a very, very difficult season, a complex season in a young life,” Commissioner Ryan Baty said.
Lofton, who was in foster care, died two days after he was held face down on the concrete floor of the county’s Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center for 39 minutes by the five juvenile corrections workers. He was delusional and in the throes of a mental health crisis when he was taken there instead of a hospital by Wichita police on Sept. 24, 2021.
The $8.3 million award includes $1 million for the physical pain and suffering Cedric experienced before his death, $1 million for his mental and emotional pain and suffering, $1.3 million in lost future earnings, and $5 million for his loss of ability to enjoy his life.
County Commissioner Jim Howell pushed back against public statements saying Lofton was murdered by the county workers.
An autopsy ruled Lofton’s death a homicide, but no criminal charges were filed against the workers.
“While outcomes may be tragic, intent matters, and it is important not to vilify public servants without justification,” Howell said.
The settlement was unanimously approved by commissioners.
The Eagle’s Amy Renee Leiker contributed to this report.
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