Autopsy: Boy restrained at boot camp died from sickle cell

Gina Jones, the mother of Martin Lee Anderson, discusses her son's death at a Wednesday press conference.

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PANAMA CITY, Florida (CNN) -- A 14-year-old boy who died while being restrained at a military-style boot camp suffered from sickle cell trait, natural complications of which caused the teen's death, according to a medical examiner's report released Thursday.

However, the report was not enough to placate the boy's parents and local leaders, who have requested that the U.S. Justice Department investigate whether Martin Lee Anderson's civil rights were violated by the use of excessive force.

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday it will grant the request for a federal inquiry. The parents could not be reached for comment.

Bay County, Florida, medical examiner Charles Siebert said in a report that Anderson died of internal bleeding, a complication of his sickle cell trait. He added that he found no evidence of blunt-force trauma or bruising that would have indicated the boy was handled with excessive force.

Anderson collapsed and died January 6, after he complained of breathing difficulties while running on a track during the intake process of the Bay County Sheriff's Office Boot Camp program.

The sheriff's office said restraint measures were used on Anderson because he was being "uncooperative."

Siebert, who has watched a videotape of the incident, said he did not consider the restraint measures used to be excessive force.

"None of the physical contact I observed could have caused his death," he said.

But two Florida legislators who have seen the videotape are upset.

"I think people are going to be outraged," State Rep. Gus Barreiro, chairman of the State Juvenile Justice Committee, said of the tape that will be made public Friday.

The intake process is videotaped as a matter of policy.

Breathing difficulty is a sign of sickle cell trait, a condition that experts say commonly has no other symptoms, Siebert said, adding that the condition would not have been detected by the screening done before Anderson entered the camp.

Siebert's findings have led the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is investigating the incident, to other incidents in which Anderson had trouble breathing in basketball practice.

The department is preparing to provide evidence to the state attorney, who will determine whether charges will be filed.