Current:Home > MarketsPolice arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles -MoneyStream
Police arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles
Poinbank Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 01:23:30
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! (187)
Related
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- The star quarterback that never lost...and never let me down
- Packers' Jonathan Owens didn't know who Simone Biles was when he matched with her on dating app
- Every year, NORAD tracks Santa on his Christmas travels. Here's how it comes together.
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Massive Ravens-49ers game on Christmas could help solve NFL MVP mystery
- The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale Has Jaw-Dropping 60% Discounts on SKIMS, Kate Spade, Spanx, More
- Motive sought for mass shooting at Prague university that left more than a dozen dead
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah tells employees to 'work longer hours' in year-end email
Ranking
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- 3 New Jersey men to stand trial in airport garage shooting that killed 1 Philadelphia officer
- On the weekend before Christmas, ‘Aquaman’ sequel drifts to first
- Bowl game schedule today: Everything to know about the seven college bowl games on Dec. 23
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Hermès scion wants to leave fortune to his ex-gardener. These people also chose unexpected heirs.
- Tesla recalls more than 120,000 vehicles because doors can unlatch in a crash
- Trump asking allies about possibility of Nikki Haley for vice president
Recommendation
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
The star quarterback that never lost...and never let me down
EMU player sucker punches South Alabama player, ignites wild fight after 68 Ventures Bowl
Audit finds low compliance by Seattle police with law requiring youth to have access to lawyers
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
'Wait Wait' for December 23, 2023: With Not My Job guest Molly Seidel
NFL playoff clinching scenarios for Week 16: Chiefs, Dolphins, Lions can secure berths
If the weather outside is frightful, here's what to watch to warm yourself up