Current:Home > ScamsPolice arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles -WealthTrail Solutions
Police arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:44:55
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! (639)
Related
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ready to campaign for Harris-Walz after losing out for spot on the ticket
- Ukraine aid left out of government funding package, raising questions about future US support
- Yes, Pete Davidson's Dating History Was Stacked Well Before He Was Linked to Madelyn Cline
- Investigators search for pilot of single-engine plane after it crashes into a New Hampshire lake
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- 2 people killed and 2 wounded in Houston shooting, sheriff says
- Federal student loan payments are starting again. Here’s what you need to know
- Horoscopes Today, September 30, 2023
- Kehlani Responds to Hurtful Accusation She’s in a Cult
- Indonesia is set to launch Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, largely funded by China
Ranking
- American news website Axios laying off dozens of employees
- Bill Ford on politicians getting involved in UAW strike: 'It doesn't help our company'
- Stock market today: Asian shares mixed as Japan business confidence rises and US shutdown is averted
- AP Top 25 Takeaways: Should Georgia still be No. 1? Leaving Prime behind. Hard to take USC seriously
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- For National Coffee Day, see top 20 US cities for coffee lovers
- ‘PAW Patrol’ shows bark at box office while ‘The Creator’ and ‘Dumb Money’ disappoint
- Forced kiss claim leads to ‘helplessness’ for accuser who turned to Olympics abuse-fighting agency
Recommendation
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
Hurts throws for 319 yards, Elliott’s 54-yarder lifts 4-0 Eagles past Commanders 34-31 in OT
Germany police launch probe as video appears to show Oktoberfest celebrants giving Nazi Heil Hitler salute
At least 13 dead in Spain nightclub fire
Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
Valentino returns to Paris’ Les Beaux-Arts with modern twist; Burton bids farewell at McQueen
As Diamondbacks celebrate 'unbelievable' playoff berth, Astros keep eyes on bigger prize
Lawrence, Ridley and defense help Jaguars beat Falcons 23-7 in London