Family advocates urge firing of staff tied to juvenile detention death; commission cites pending litigation

Faith Martin, speaking for the Cedric Lofton Action Committee during public comment on Nov. 12, urged the Sedgwick County Commission to remove employees she said were involved in the restraint and death of 17-year-old Cedric Lofton while in county juvenile custody.

Martin said court records and the coroners report support her allegation that Lofton was held prone and restrained for roughly 30 to 40 minutes, and that the coroner ruled the death a homicide. She said the Tenth Circuit denied qualified immunity to five Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center officers, allowing civil litigation to proceed to a jury. "Holding a hundred and 35 pound 17-year-old with pressure on his back for 39 minutes is dangerous," Martin said, calling the conduct "negligence at a minimum and worse conduct that cost a life."

Martin asked the commission to "not be employing people at county facilities who are involved in the actions that cause a juvenile's death," noting the appellate decision and the ongoing civil case.

Chairman Ryan Beatty acknowledged the comment and told Martin that because the case is pending litigation "we're not at liberty to speak on these things." Commissioners did not take binding action on the request at the meeting.

Background provided during the comment: Martin said the criminal prosecutor declined to bring criminal charges, but the appellate court's decision to deny qualified immunity allows civil claims to proceed. She offered to take questions but emphasized the limits on official comment because of ongoing litigation.