Cedric Lofton: Black teen's death ruled homicide, cops left him face down, handcuffed
A Kansas teen died after he was left face down and handcuffed following his arrest for becoming 'aggressive' with officers who responded to a call at his foster home after the teen reportedly behaved in an agitated manner. Cedric Lofton, 17, of Wichita, Kansas, died on September 26 at a Sedgwick County juvenile jail. An autopsy report revealed that he was taken into custody after "running away from his foster home, returning, and then exhibiting erratic and aggressive behavior" toward his foster family.
According to the release, the Kansas teen ran away on September 21 due to a "mental health crisis," and returned on September 24. After that, the Kansas Bureau of Investigations said that the teen appeared paranoid. Although the authorities tried to convince him to voluntarily seek mental health treatment, he was ultimately taken into custody after he assaulted the officers. He was arrested on suspicion of battery against a law enforcement officer. Following his arrest, he was put in a cell at a Sedgwick County juvenile center for 90 minutes. According to KBI, he became "uncooperative and agitated" when he was taken to the lobby to be processed. Lofton allegedly punched an employee in the head which caused the officers to handcuff him. The authorities put him facedown on the floor after "a lengthy physical struggle."