A 20-year-old McDonald's manager in Yuba City, California is recovering in the hospital with severe burns after a coworker allegedly threw hot oil on him following their shift on May 30.
Jacob Smith suffered second-degree burns over 22 percent of his body, including his face, arm and back, and is currently being treated at UC Davis Medical Center.
His coworker, Jalani Bluett who is 23, fled the scene before police arrived but was arrested just after midnight on June 1 and is now being held at Sutter County Jail with no bail.
Jacob was in the office counting money after his shift when the attack happened.
“He was in the office getting ready to count the money when he saw out of the corner of his eye something, and he just turned, and the oil was just thrown on him,” his mother Amber Smith told KCRA.
“He's got second-degree burns over 22 percent of his body. They said he was in excruciating pain,” she told KXTV.
He will undergo more surgeries next week, including a skin graft.
McDonald's owner and operator John Cook called the incident “deeply concerning” and said the company was focused on supporting Jacob.
“The serious incident that took place at our restaurant this past weekend is deeply concerning, and our focus is on supporting our employee, Jacob, as he recovers,” he said, per the Independent.
Cook added that Bluett is no longer employed by the organization and that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement.
Authorities have said Bluett has a disability but declined to specify what it is.
He faces multiple felony charges including assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem and serious felony assault resulting in great bodily injury.
