KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo Public Safety officers are investigating after a teen boy was found unresponsive outside a youth and family services center.
First responders were called to Lakeside Academy, a home and school for children with behavioral challenges located at 3921 Oakland Drive, around 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday where they found the 16-year-old in cardiac arrest.
Life-saving measures were administered by first responders and a pulse was regained on the student.
The teen was transported to Bronson Hospital but passed away on Friday morning.
After further investigating, authorities say Lakeside staff members were in the process of restraining the student prior to him going unresponsive. It is currently unclear what led to the teenager’s cardiac arrest or why he was being restrained.
Lakeside Academy released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of a student at Lakeside Academy after being restrained by staff during an incident on campus. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this young man and are focused on supporting them and our school community. While we are not providing additional details at this time out of respect for the privacy of the family and the ongoing law enforcement investigation, we are cooperating fully with the Kalamazoo Police Department and will use every tool at our disposal to investigate this incident, support those affected, and take appropriate disciplinary action. The health and well-being of our students is our top priority and all personnel at our facilities are trained to provide the highest quality of care. This incident does not reflect our mission to serve and care for our clients with excellence and we are committed to making the necessary changes to ensure something like this does not happen again.”
According to WOOD-TV, records show a history of state violations at Lakeside, including five special investigations in 2020 alone.
An active investigation into the incident is taking place and KDPS has stated that there is no other information available at this time.
