UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY
Who is Cornelius Fredericks, 16, and what happened to him?
TEENAGER Cornelius Fredericks died after being restrained for 12 minutes at a Michigan residential treatment facility.
Fredericks, 16, went into cardiac arrest after he was tackled and pinned to the ground for throwing a sandwich in the cafeteria.
10
and the teenager died two days later on May 1, according to a lawsuit his family filed.
Here is more about Fredericks' death.
Who is Cornelius Fredericks?
Cornelius Fredericks was a teen living at Lakeside Academy, a residential treatment facility in Kalamazoo,
The center accepted young adults ages 12 to 18 to receive behavioral health services as they were placed through the foster care system or by their parents.
Fredericks had been a ward of the state for several years, following his mother’s death when his father was incarcerated.
10
When did he die?
Fredericks passed away on May 1 at Bronson Methodist Hospital after entering cardiac arrest as he was restrained on the ground.
His family filed a lawsuit against the staff and center for not using proper protocol with their own restraint policy.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched an investigation into the facility.
The department's documents stated that officials said that the staff initiated restraint that was "significantly disproportionate" to Fredericks' behavior, reported.
10
The MDHHS has since terminated all contracts with Lakeside Academy and has begun the legal process to revoke its license,
At the time of the investigation, MDHHS found "10 licensing violations, including a failure to follow rules related to resident restraint and discipline," the press release said.
Fredericks’ family is seeking $110M dollars in damages.
What happened to him?
A video from Lakeside taken on April 29 shows the young boy allegedly throwing a sandwich at a teen in the cafeteria.
A member of the academy then tackled him on to the floor.
The footage shows Fredericks being held on the ground by about six other staff members of the academy for several minutes.
10
The family's lawsuit says that Fredericks was already struggling and that he said "I can't breathe" while he was restrained.
The members then release him and try to resuscitate him as the video ends.
The family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, obtained the security footage and claims that when the staff stopped restraining Fredericks, they tried to sit him up but his body was limp.
Fredericks urinated on himself during the restraint, Fieger said.
10
Fieger addressed the press during a conference.
"Certainly this type of behavior is not human," he said.
"It can only be akin to a subhuman-type species that would inflict this behavior on children."
A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
What happened to the staff members?
Two male staffers and a female nurse were fired after Frederick's death.
Michael Mosley of Battle Creek, Zachary Solis of Lansing and Heather McLogan of Kalamazoo have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse in Fredericks’ death.
Mosley, Solis, and McLogan were released on $500,000 personal bonds, according to court records.
10
Mosley’s attorney said that he pled not guilty, citing that he was following guidelines and the proper protocol.
The Kalamazoo County prosecutor also charged McLogan, 48, a nurse, with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse.
Prosecutors allege that she failed to seek timely medical care, as she did not dial 911 until 12 minutes after the restraint ended.
Who else has said “I Can’t Breathe” while being restrained?
Several cases of related deaths have amassed protests all over the world.
Similar to Fredericks’ restraint, police have come under fire for use of excessive force with and others.
Before dying, both and also mentioned “I can’t breathe” while being pinned to the ground.
Most read in US News
How do I sign the Justice for Cornelius Fredericks petition?
The Justice for Cornelius Fredericks petition can be
The petition has gathered 309,000 signatures and has yet to meet its goal of 500,000.
10
10
10
10
Topics