A California McDonald’s worker suffered burns to his face, neck, arm and back after his co-worker allegedly threw hot oil on him.
Jacob Smith, 20, remains in the hospital after the May 30 incident at a McDonald’s in Yuba City. His mother, Amber Smith, told the NBC affiliate KCRA from Sacramento that he was preparing to return home when he was attacked.
“He was in the office and was about to count the money when he saw something out of the corner of his eye, he turned around and the oil was thrown at him,” she said.
Yuba City police identified the suspect as Jalani Bluett, according to KCRA. Bluett, 23, reportedly fled the McDonald’s after the incident, but he arrested May 31 by Sutter County deputies after being declared missing.
Jacob Smith is recovering in the UC Davis ICU burn unit after police say a co-worker at a McDonald’s in Yuba City, Calif., threw a hot liquid on him.via GoFundMeOnline court records show he was charged with aggravated battery, criminal mayhem and felonious assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded not guilty.
It is unclear what exactly led to the attack.
Bluett’s public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
John Cook, owner and operator of the Yuba City McDonald’s, said Bluett is no longer employed by the organization.
“The serious incident that took place in our restaurant … is deeply concerning and our goal is to support our employee, Jacob, during his recovery,” Cook said in an emailed statement. “The safety and well-being of our employees, guests and community remains our top priority. »
Smith’s mother told KCRA he had injuries on one side of his face, neck, right arm and back. She said he was in “excruciating” pain and that doctors were trying to reduce the size of the burns “to try to minimize the amount of skin grafting they were planning to do.”
