The family of a 16-year-old who died after being restrained by staff at Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo is suing the school and the company that owns it for $100 million, alleging negligence. Cornelius Frederick died May 1 after suffering a heart attack on April 29. At the time, authorities said he was being restrained by staff after throwing a sandwich.
“We loved him very, very much,” said Frederick’s aunt, Tenia Goshay, who is representing the estate. “We just don’t know what happened. We don’t know why.”
The state on Thursday terminated its contracts with Lakeside Academy for youth in foster care or the juvenile justice system. All 125 youth at Lakeside were placed elsewhere, the state said.
The Kalamazoo County prosecutor said he is reviewing investigations of the case by the state and law enforcement. According to a complaint and request for trial filed Monday in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, Frederick died after he was restrained, during which staff allegedly sat on his chest.
