Jury Awards $8.3 Million to Kansas Foster Teen's Family After Death at Juvenile Intake Center

Jurors found five juvenile officers either used excessive force on Cedric 'C.J.' Lofton or failed to intervene during his mental health crisis.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal jury has awarded $8.3 million to the family of Cedric 'C.J.' Lofton, a Kansas foster teen who died in 2021 after being held facedown for 39 minutes at a juvenile intake center while experiencing a mental health crisis. The jury found that five juvenile officers either used excessive force on Lofton or failed to intervene.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of excessive force and improper restraint techniques by law enforcement when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises, as well as the need for better training and protocols to prioritize de-escalation and appropriate mental health interventions.

The details

Lofton, who was 17 at the time, was restrained in a device called the WRAP after officers were unable to convince him to go to a mental health facility voluntarily. At the intake center, staff then placed Lofton on his stomach on the floor, where he stopped breathing. Paramedics were called but Lofton died two days later. The jury rejected arguments that Lofton's death was due to 'excited delirium', a controversial diagnosis often used to justify excessive force.

  • Lofton died in a hospital on September 26, 2021, just one day before his 18th birthday.
  • The final autopsy declared Lofton's death a homicide.
  • In the months after Lofton's death, the district attorney said the state's 'stand-your-ground' law prevented him from pursuing involuntary manslaughter charges.

The players

Cedric 'C.J.' Lofton

A 17-year-old Kansas foster teen who died in 2021 after being restrained at a juvenile intake center during a mental health crisis.

John Marrese

An attorney for Lofton's brother and the estate.

Marc Bennett

The Sedgwick County district attorney who said the state's 'stand-your-ground' law prevented him from pursuing involuntary manslaughter charges.

Sedgwick County

The county that employed the officers named in the lawsuit.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's a good development in the world of prolonged prone restraint in terms of a jury acknowledging how dangerous it is and the fact that it can be fatal.”

— John Marrese, Attorney for Lofton's brother and the estate

What’s next

Sedgwick County said it is reviewing the verdict and discussing next steps.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for law enforcement and juvenile detention staff to receive better training on de-escalating mental health crises and using restraint techniques that do not put individuals at risk of death. It also underscores the importance of holding officials accountable when their actions lead to tragic outcomes.