Current:Home > StocksPolice arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles -Momentum Wealth Path
Police arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles
View
Date:2025-04-15 06:18:07
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! (7886)
Related
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- 10 injured after stolen vehicle strikes pedestrians in New York City, police say
- MLB trade deadline live updates: All the deals and moves that went down on Tuesday
- The hottest July: Inside Phoenix's brutal 31 days of 110-degree heat
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Florida set to execute inmate James Phillip Barnes in nurse’s 1988 hammer killing
- Louisiana education officials note post-pandemic improvement in LEAP test scores
- Sales are way down at a Florida flea market. A new immigration law could be to blame.
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver dies; Gov. Phil Murphy planning return to U.S.
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- 24-year-old NFL wide receiver KJ Hamler reveals he has a heart condition, says he's taking a quick break
- U.S. women advance in World Cup with 0-0 draw against Portugal
- India's Haryana state on edge as authorities block internet, deploy troops amid deadly sectarian violence
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Taylor Swift Gives $55 Million in Bonuses to Her Eras Tour Crew
- Arkansas starts fiscal year with revenue nearly $16M above forecast
- 55 million Americans in the South remain under heat alerts as heat index soars
Recommendation
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
PGA Tour adds Tiger Woods to policy board in response to player demands
America Ferrera Dressed Like Barbie Even Without Wearing Pink—Here's How You Can, Too
'Horrific' early morning attack by 4 large dogs leaves man in his 70s dead in road
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
FBI: Over 200 sex trafficking victims, including 59 missing children, found in nationwide operation
Black bear, cub euthanized after attacking man opening his garage door in Idaho
Gwyneth Paltrow invites fans to stay at Montecito guesthouse with Airbnb: 'Hope to host you soon'