Teen’s mother sues McDonald’s after attack, says staff ‘did nothing to intervene’

McDonald’s is facing a lawsuit from the mother of a teenager who was brutally attacked by an adult at a Southern California restaurant.

Angelina Gray is suing the alleged assailant and the fast-food chain for inaction during the unprovoked assault of her 13-year-old daughter in September, alleging that staff at the Harbor City McDonald’s “did nothing” already that Kassidy Jones was targeted and attacked inside the dining room.

“I’m heartbroken that my innocent daughter was hit,” the mother said, according to Fox 11. “The staff and managers at McDonald’s did nothing to intervene. They were all standing by and watching.”

The alleged attacker, Ariana Lauifi, was reportedly yelling “I fight kids” as the teenager entered the McDonald’s on September 6. The video showed the teen being pushed to the ground by the adult attacker who dragged her, punched and pulled the teen. her hair. Meanwhile, witnesses could be heard screaming and some were seen recording the assault, but no one intervened, including restaurant staff.

The suspect, later identified as Lauifi, then 31, was arrested three weeks later and charged with criminal child abuse, although that was later changed. The owner of the Harbor City McDonald’s then released a statement saying, “We were horrified to learn of this violent attack and our thoughts are with Kassidy and his family.”

“Employees called the police when the fight started and we worked closely with local law enforcement to assist them with their investigation,” added owner Tawnie Blade.

But according to Gray, her daughter is still trying to recover from the incident that could have been avoided.

“McDonald’s has an obligation to provide a clean and safe place for its customers to dine. Kassidy’s injuries could have been prevented and she should have received some form of assistance after the attack,” said the the family’s lawyer, Toni Jaramilla. “This situation should never have happened.”

Adding insult to injury, although Lauifi was charged on Oct. 2 with felony child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause serious bodily injury or death, the County District Attorney’s Office Los Angeles reduced the charge later this month to a misdemeanor.

“After a careful review of the evidence, based on the totality of the circumstances, we have determined that the case does not rise to the level of a serious crime,” read a statement from the County District Attorney’s office. Los Angeles George Gascón, Fox. 11 reported.

That prompted Gray to reach out to Gascón, saying in a statement last month that she remains “anxious to get justice” for Kassidy.

“A misdemeanor charge sends a message that the lives and safety of black girls don’t really matter to those in power,” the mother said. said. “Kassidy is a 4.0 honor student who has been in tremendous pain and is still in tremendous trauma.”

“The prosecutors in our Family Violence Division are uniquely trained and experienced in successfully prosecuting child abuse cases,” a statement from the DA’s office said. “Senior members of the division carefully reviewed the evidence in this case, including unseen video footage of the assault, and determined that a felony was not the appropriate charge in this case. The disproportionate victimization of women and black girls is something our office takes very seriously and to suggest otherwise is offensive.

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida, where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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