Current:Home > reviewsPolice arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles -SecureNest Finance
Police arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles
View
Date:2025-04-19 14:25:15
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! (1173)
Related
- Trump's 'stop
- Texas attorney accused of smuggling drug-laced papers to inmates in county jail
- Lionel Messi at Maracanã: How to watch Argentina vs. Brazil in World Cup qualifier Tuesday
- What causes a cold sore? The reason is not as taboo as some might think.
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Video shows elk charge at Colorado couple: 'Felt like we were in an Indiana Jones film'
- 100+ Kids Christmas movies to stream with the whole family this holiday season.
- Rosalynn Carter’s advocacy for mental health was rooted in compassion and perseverance
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Western gray squirrels are now considered endangered in Washington state: Seriously threatened with extinction
Ranking
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Close friends can help you live longer but they can spread some bad habits too
- Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark to join ManningCast Monday night on ESPN2 for Chiefs-Eagles
- California Highway Patrol officer fatally shoots man walking on freeway, prompting investigation
- Average rate on 30
- North Korea reportedly tells Japan it will make 3rd attempt to launch spy satellite this month
- 2 Backpage execs found guilty on prostitution charges; another convicted of financial crime
- Gisele Bündchen Reflects on Importance of Kindness Amid Silent Struggles
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Massachusetts to let homeless families stay overnight in state’s transportation building
Significant hoard of Bronze Age treasure discovered by metal detectorists in Wales
Judge bars media cameras in University of Idaho slayings case, but the court will livestream
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Honda, BMW, and Subaru among 528,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
Police say shooter attacked Ohio Walmart and injuries reported
TGL pushes start date to 2025 due to recent stadium issue