Earlier this month, a trip to a McDonald's in Harbor City unleashed a nightmare for 13-year-old Kassidy Jones when an adult woman violently attacked her in the dining area. The assault left Jones with cuts and bruises on her face, and the incident, captured on cell phone video, swiftly gained the public's attention, causing concerned citizens to take to the streets in protest. According to CBS News, protestors gathered outside the fast food restaurant, demanding the assailant come forward and face the consequences of her appalling actions.
While the community continued to rally behind Jones and her family, law enforcement officials were hard at work locating the suspect. Finally, yesterday, Harbor Area Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department made an arrest, identifying the perpetrator as Ariana Lauifi. The official announcement, published on the LAPD Newsroom, highlighted Lauifi's booking for one count of Felony Child Abuse. The case is now being referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration.
Jones recounted her experience in a previous interview with CBS News, explaining that the incident occurred without provocation or apparent reason. The teenager had simply made eye contact with Lauifi after leaving the bathroom when the woman began verbally abusing her and shouted, "I fight kids." Moments later, the assailant hit Jones in the face, grabbed her hair, and hurled her to the ground. Thankfully, a McDonald's employee intervened and managed to pull the attacker away, likely preventing further harm to the young victim.
An investigation into this terrible event is ongoing, with LAPD Harbor Area Detectives urging anyone with additional information to contact them at (310) 726-7900. After-hours or weekend callers should dial 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247), and anyone wishing to remain anonymous can reach the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or access their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. There is also a “P3 Tips” mobile application available to further streamline the tip submission process, connecting users with the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
