Black Teen Died After Facility Staff Members Forcibly Restrained Him

Cornelius Fredericks died after he suffered a cardiac arrest on May 1. A few days before that, staff members forcibly restrained the black teen after he threw a fit. 

CNN obtained a copy of the lawsuit. It stated that staff members at the Lakeside Academy restrained the 16-year-old boy. The facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan provides teens behavioral health services. The lawsuit reported that the staff did "improper restraint" after Fredericks threw a sandwich at someone on April 29. It is asking for $100 million for the damages the staff did. 

(Photo: Instagram/blm.htown.lv)

Restraints Not Right for the Black Teen

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) made their statement about the event. It said that it would no longer allow physical restraints like the one that caused Fredericks to die. After investigation, they found that the restraints were not right for the black teen's action. 

Director of MDHHS, Robert Gordon, said that a young man died on May 1 after getting incorrectly applied restraints. He described it as a tragedy and an outrage. He said that they would not rest until they have changed the system that led to the black teen's death. 

Cornelius Fredericks Incident Sparks Call for Childcare Policy Reform

MDHHS also said that it would "address challenges before they become tragedies." To do that, it will reform its childcare institutions' policies. It will also take the needed steps to revoke the license of Lakeside Academy. 

(Photo : Instagram/yourblackizmagic)

Filed Charges Against Staff Members

Medical examiners told CBS News that the black teen died from restraint asphyxia. They ruled it as a homicide. On Wednesday, they filed involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse against the three Lakeside Academy staff. 

Owner of the Lakeside Academy, Sequel Youth & Family Services, released a statement. They stated their sympathy for Fredericks' tragic loss. They said that they acted quickly to terminate the staff involved. They also removed Lakeside's former executive director from the organization. 

Justice for the Black Teen

Sequel also stated that they have been in contact with law enforcement and state officials. They want to ensure to serve justice for the teen that died. They have also accelerated the work that they have started to offer a restraint-free model of care. 

The company also said that it had taken the significant behavioral health needs of all its students seriously. It also stated that its focus is to provide the absolute best care and treatment for its clients. 

Sequel strongly supports the prosecutor's decision. It said that it is right to file criminal charges against its staff. It believes that they made the decision based on a very thorough investigation. 

They stated that they would fully cooperate throughout the process to serve justice for Fredericks. According to Sequel, the black teen suffered a tragic and senseless death. The company said that they are committed to making the needed changes. They want to make sure that the same event will not happen in the future again. 

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