The mother of a 13-year-old girl recently attacked at a Southern California McDonald’s has filed a lawsuit against the fast food chain and the alleged assailant.
FOX 11 reported that the lawsuit was directed against McDonald’s and Ariana Lauifi over an incident in September 2023.
“I am heartbroken that my innocent daughter was beaten,” Kassidy Jones’ mother, Angelina Gray, said, as reported by the New York Post. “McDonald’s staff and managers did nothing to intervene. They all stood and watched.”
“I just couldn’t believe another human being would do this,” Gray added.
'Heartbroken' California teen's mom sues McDonald's following attack, says staff 'did nothing to intervene'
The mother of the 13-year-old girl attacked by a woman inside a Southern California McDonald’s is suing the fast food giant and the alleged adult assailant. pic.twitter.com/HNpdXQBJBd— Citizen YC (@CitiznYC) November 6, 2023
Jones said that she and her classmates had stopped by McDonald’s on Sept. 6, 2023, before chaos ensued. The 13-year-old said that Lauifi then proceeded to corner her and begin taking shots at her.
Jones recalled that Lauifi started to yell expletives at her, while saying, “I fight kids. I fight you.”
Footage of the fight began to circulate across social media, showing Jones being brutally beaten by Lauifi.
After receiving news that her daughter was attacked in McDonald’s, Gray called the police and rushed Jones to the hospital.
FOX 11 reported that Lauifi was arrested on Sept. 28, 2023, and was initially charged with a felony over her actions.
“We were horrified to learn about this violent attack, and our thoughts are with Kassidy and her family. Employees called police when the fight began, and we worked closely with local law enforcement to help with their investigation,” McDonald’s Harbor City owner said in a statement.
Gray said that her daughter is still recovering from her injuries and that if McDonald’s taken action, the entire incident would have been prevented.
“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 been given some form of help after the attack,” the family’s attorney, Toni Jaramilla, said, per BizPac Review. “This situation should have never happened.”
Making things worse, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office reduced Lauifi’s charge to a misdemeanor.
“After careful review of the evidence, based on the totality of the circumstances, we’ve determined that the case does not rise to the level of a felony filing,” a statement from the office of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón read.
