Sequel Youth & Family Services: Michigan Health & Human Services Terminates Relationship with Sequel

June 20, 2020

On June 18, 2020, following the May 1st death of 16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks due to improper use of physical restraint at Lakeside Academy, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services suspended the facility's license.

On June 20, the office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released this statement:

"Protecting our most vulnerable is a top priority of my administration, and the senseless death of a youth at Lakeside for Children in Kalamazoo is intolerable and heartbreaking. We will take steps to prevent tragedies like this from occurring in the future and make sure there is accountability.

“Today I directed MDHHS Director Robert Gordon to take every step necessary to ensure Sequel Youth and Family Services — the company that provided staffing for Lakeside for Children where the 16-year-old died — no longer provides services for facilities licensed by the department.” Governor Whitmer’s directive follows MDHHS’s announcement that it will eliminate the use of restraints against youth in its care, and review and reform its policies to prevent future tragedies. The MDHHS Division of Child Welfare conducted an investigation of the facility in coordination with other department investigators and local law enforcement."

Source: "Governor Whitmer Statement on Youth Death at Lakeside for Children in Kalamazoo," news release, Office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, June 20, 2020, URL: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640-532682--,00.html