Current:Home > StocksPolice arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles -Wealth Impact Academy
Police arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles
View
Date:2025-04-28 01:10:19
Officials arrested a 31-year-old woman Thursday for allegedly attacking a 13-year-old at a Los Angeles McDonald's in a now viral video.
The suspect, Ariana Lauifi, is being held in suspicion of a child abuse felony for the Sept. 6 attack in the Harbor City neighborhood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
"The public’s continued interest in the incident resulted in investigators receiving numerous leads, ultimately assisting detectives in positively identifying the suspect," LAPD wrote in a news release.
Cell phone video recordings show a woman brutally punching and kicking 13-year-old Kassidy Jones multiple times, pulling her hair and forcing her to the floor inside the fast-food restaurant as no bystanders interfere. Jones said she and her friends were walking home from school when they stopped at the restaurant to use the restroom, KTLA reported.
See also:Ohio couple sentenced to prison for fraud scheme involving dubious Alzheimer's diagnoses
Jones said a woman she had never met before quickly lunged at her and began beating her. The child added the entire incident was completely unprovoked. She recalled the attacker saying "What the F are you looking at? I fight kids. I’ll fight you!"
The suspect is currently held with the bail price set for $100,000, jail records show. The case will be sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration, LAPD said.
The victim suffered severe bruising including on her face, according ABC7. Jones' mother reportedly said her daughter is also hurting emotionally.
"She can't sleep at night. She's bruised," the victim's mother Angelina Gray told ABC7. "She doesn't want to go to school because she's tired of the kids and everybody asking her what happened and making fun of her."
"The family of Kassidy Jones are extremely grateful that the LAPD has made an arrest of the woman who viciously beat Kassidy in an unprovoked attack inside McDonald's. As McDonald's managers and onlookers offered no help in stopping the assault," a spokesperson for the family said in a statement.
"Kassidy, is still traumatized and undergoing therapy. But hopefully this news will give her encouragement that justice will be served. Kassidy deserves a break today."
“We were horrified to learn about this violent attack, and our thoughts are with Kassidy and her family," store owner and operator Tawnie Blade told USA TODAY. "Employees called police when the fight began, and we’re continuing to work closely with local law enforcement to help with their investigation."
More:Lightning strike kills 16-year-old Florida girl who was out hunting with her dad
veryGood! (62629)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Miss USA 2024 Alma Cooper Shares How Pageant Changed After Noelia Voigt Relinquished Her Title
- Gunmen kill New Zealand helicopter pilot in another attack in Indonesia’s restive Papua region
- Caroline Marks wins gold for US in surfing final nail-biter
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Olympics 3x3 basketball is a mess. How to fix it before the next Games.
- USA vs. Germany live updates: USWNT lineup, start time for Olympics semifinal
- Houston mom charged with murder in baby son's hot car death; grandma says it's a mistake
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Video shows plane crash on busy California golf course, slide across green into pro shop
Ranking
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- 13-year-old boy killed when tree falls on home during Hurricane Debby's landfall in Florida
- Michigan primaries will set the stage for Senate, House races key to control of Congress
- How Google's huge defeat in antitrust case could change how you search the internet
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Before 'Cowboy Carter,' Ron Tarver spent 30 years photographing Black cowboys
- Machine Gun Kelly Shares He's One Year Sober After Going to Rehab
- Lionel Richie Reacts to Carrie Underwood Joining Him and Luke Bryan on American Idol
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Chicago White Sox lose to Oakland A's for AL record-tying 21st straight defeat
Michael Phelps calls for lifetime ban for athletes caught doping: 'One and done'
Dogs kill baby boy inside New York home. Police are investigating what happened before the attack
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Buca di Beppo files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after closing several locations
Fifth inmate dies at Wisconsin prison as former warden set to appear in court on misconduct charge
Republican congressman who voted to impeach Trump fights to survive Washington primary