An autopsy report says that a Black youth’s death following a physical struggle with staff at a Kansas juvenile center was a homicide
Summary
- An autopsy report says that a Black youth’s death following a physical struggle with staff at a Kansas juvenile center was a homicideTOPEKA, Kan. – A Black youth’s death following a physical struggle with staff at a Kansas juvenile center was a homicide, according to an autopsy report released Monday that contradicts an earlier, preliminary finding that the teenager hadn’t suffered life-threatening injuries.
- Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett issued a statement saying his office is reviewing the autopsy report, along with a “lengthy investigation” by the local sheriff’s office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
- The autopsy report said that juvenile center employees were “unable to locate a pulse” four minutes after they handcuffed Lofton.
- The autopsy report said that staff at the center let him out of his cell at 4:20 a.m. — to use the restroom, according to the KBI.
- Lofton was “uncooperative and agitated" and punched a staff member in the head, according to the autopsy report, leading to the struggle with multiple staff members.