KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting is announcing charges against three individuals at a youth facility in Kalamazoo after a teen boy died while being restrained.
16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks went into cardiac arrest and passed away on May 1st, just two days after he was restrained for reportedly throwing food in the cafeteria at Lakeside Academy, located off of Oakland Drive.
A special investigation report from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services stated that there were six to seven male staff members on top of Fredericks for about 12 minutes. It then took another 12 minutes before the 911 call was made.
On Wednesday Fredericks’ death was ruled as a homicide as a result of restraint asphyxia, according to Kalamazoo County Medical Examiner Ted Brown.
Now Prosecutor Getting is announcing charges against the following individuals:
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Michael Mosley of Battle Creek faces three charges: Homicide involuntary manslaughter, which is a felony up to 15 years in prison, 2nd degree child abuse, a felony up to 10 years in prison, and child abuse 2nd degree childcare organization violation causing death, also a felony up to 10 years in prison.
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Zachary Solis of Lansing faces the three same charges as Mosely: Homicide involuntary manslaughter, which is a felony up to 15 years in prison, 2nd degree child abuse, a felony up to 10 years in prison, and child abuse 2nd degree childcare organization violation causing death, a felony up to 10 years in prison.
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Heather McLogan of Kalamazoo faces the following charges: Failure to perform the following legal duty to follow through on medical care, a felony up to 15 years in prison and child abuse 2nd degree childcare organization violation causing death, a felony up to 10 years in prison.
A press conference was held on the south steps of the Kalamazoo County Courthouse in downtown Kalamazoo Wednesday afternoon where Getting provided updates on the investigation.
He stated that both Mosley and Solis were staff members at Lakeside Academy while McLogan was medical personnel on staff at the facility.
Getting says these three defendants will be arrested and brought before the court for an arraignment. Future court dates will be scheduled, but there are none set at this time.
He also explained that more charges could eventually be filed for other individuals involved. According to the report, 10 people were fired at Lakeside Academy following Fredericks’ death: seven staff members, two supervisors, and one nurse.
During the press conference Getting stated, “What occurred was on video so I don’t need a bunch of eyewitnesses to describe it, I can show you what happened.” He explained that if they have to involve any of the residents they will but “they’ve already been through enough.”
Getting could not confirm if Fredericks did shout “I can’t breathe” while being restrained as it was stated in previous reports.
The state has already suspended Lakeside’s license which means the facility cannot house any children, but now the department is working to permanently shut down the facility.
The family of Fredericks has also filed a lawsuit for $100 million dollars against Lakeside Academy and their managing company Sequel Youth and Family Services. The lawsuit states, “The excessive use of restraints and the lack of concern for Cornelius’s life draw an eerily similar comparison to that of George Floyd’s death.”
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*Note: There are conflicting reports on the spelling of Cornelius’ last name. One report notes the teen boy’s name was Cornelius Fredericks, but Prosecutor Jeff Getting explained that the charging document states Cornelius Fredrick. We’re working to confirm the correct spelling.*
