A Gwinnett County nail salon employee was taken into custody in connection with a dispute over service payment, during which a child was reportedly pulled back into the salon and the door was locked. The employee, identified as Nancy Nguyen, 42, has been charged with false imprisonment involving a minor, according to Gwinnett County Jail records.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the incident occurred on Sunday at a nail salon on the 2900 block of Buford Drive. Nguyen was arrested on Sunday and later released on a $4,050 cash bond. Gwinnett County police said the situation escalated from a pricing disagreement to a payment dispute. Cpl. Angela Carter, a police spokeswoman, stated that during the incident, the suspect reportedly pulled an eight-year-old back into the salon and locked the door until the child’s mother agreed to pay for the service.
Police officers reviewed security footage from the scene, which led to Nguyen's arrest. In a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, Cpl. Angela Carter described the actions as inappropriate, noting that holding an eight-year-old in a nail salon over a payment went too far.
The mother involved, Selena Stevenson, told WSB-TV that an additional $20 was added to her bill. When she questioned the charge, the employee allegedly told her to leave the salon. Stevenson, who was with her two young children, described that her son was pulled back into the salon and the door was locked. They were released after approximately five to ten minutes, and Stevenson called 911. She also noted that her son has been affected by the incident, showing reluctance to go out since then.
Stevenson settled her $178 bill before Nguyen’s arrest and advised other parents to be mindful of the businesses they visit with their children. Nguyen’s arrest highlights the legal consequences of handling disputes inappropriately. The case has been closed following her apprehension.
