Sedgwick County commissioners and Wichita City Council members appeared at a news conference Tuesday to show unity and determination in working for changes in the juvenile justice system after the in-custody death of a teenager last fall. 17-year-old Cedric Lofton died last September after he was restrained in a struggle with staff members at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center.
County Commission chairman David Dennis called the death of Lofton heartbreaking and tragic, and he said the city and county will work together “to do what it takes to support, drive, and dedicate the resources needed to make sure that something that is as tragic as Cedric’s death does not happen to any youth again.
County Commissioner Sarah Lopez said more than 15 agencies have agreed to work on a community task force that will look at policies and practices at JIAC, as well as system standards and practices from the Kansas Department of Corrections, and the physical layout of local facilities. Lopez said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is setting up a review of Cedric Lofton’s case with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, and the county will work with state officials on that review. Lopez said “we must do better to address the growing mental health needs within our juvenile corrections system, and we will.”
Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said the city and county are unified in a dedication to work for systemic changes and looking for additional mental health services. He said the city and county are pushing for changes in the Kansas Legislature, and he said “now is the time to rally together and support expanded funding, services and community support for mental health.”
Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson said he has had a myriad of emotions from Lofton’s death, and it’s a tragedy that should not have occurred. He said leaders have been hearing from the community, with questions that need answers and continued calls for action and change. He said “We hear you loud and clear that we need systemic changes to better serve those who we represent.” Johnson said he has also talked with city staff about reviewing policies on youth under 18 in a mental health crisis, and taking them to a place of care before, or preferably in place of, a corrections environment.
Wichita Vice Mayor Becky Tuttle said this is the time that the city and the county “should be leaning on the expertise of the mental health professionals and experts in the community on how to move forward with more support for community mental health.”
