Family: Autistic man's death was unnecessary

By Pat Krochmal and Frank Main

Cunningham died after Des Plaines police responded to a report of an aggravated battery Nov. 20, 2005, at 843 S. Golf Cul de Sac in Des Plaines, the location of a group home in which Cunningham was living. The home, operated by Evanston-based Rimland Services NFP, provides specialized support to individuals with autism.

According to information released last week by a Cook County Medical Examiner's Office spokeswoman, Cunningham suffocated from being placed face down with an officer's hand on his back. His hands, according to the spokeswoman, were cuffed behind his back when police were trying to subdue Cunningham after he severely bit a caregiver on the hand and arms.

A 50,000-volt charge through the wire-attached darts of a Taser stun gun used by police during the encounter did not contribute to his death, according to the medical examiner's office. Neither did pepper spray or a medication a paramedic administered to sedate Cunningham, the office said. The medication's dosage was either too small, or was not circulating in his bloodstream because he was already dead, the office said.

Excerpts from article at: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/dp/02-16-06-826705.html

For information, resources and practical strategies on autism please visit: www.AutismConcepts.com.