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A California McDonald’s employee sustained burns across his face, neck, arm and back after a colleague allegedly threw hot oil on him.
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Jacob Smith, 20, remains in the hospital following the incident May 30 at a Yuba City McDonald’s. His mother, Amber Smith, told NBC affiliate KCRA of Sacramento that he was getting ready to head home when he was attacked.
“He was in the office getting ready to count the money when he saw out of the corner of his eye something, and he turned, and the oil was just thrown on him,” she said.
Yuba City police identified the suspect as Jalani Bluett, according to KCRA. Bluett, 23, is alleged to have fled the McDonald’s after the incident and was arrested May 31 by Sutter County deputies after he was declared missing.
Online court records show he has been charged with felony battery with serious bodily injury, felony mayhem and felony assault with a deadly weapon. He has pleaded not guilty.
It’s not clear what led up to the attack.
Bluett’s public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
John Cook, the owner and operator of the Yuba City McDonald’s, said Bluett is no longer employed with the organization.
“The serious incident that took place at our restaurant … is deeply concerning, and our focus is on supporting our employee, Jacob, as he recovers,” Cook said in an emailed statement. “The safety and well-being of our employees, guests and community remain our top priority.”
Smith’s mother told KCRA that he has injuries on one side of his face, down his neck, down his right arm and across his back. She said that he has been experiencing “excruciating” pain and that doctors are trying to reduce the size of the burns “to try to minimize the amount of skin grafting that they’re looking at having to do.”
Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.
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