A California McDonald’s manager was left in horrifying pain and with second-degree burns covering his body after a coworker allegedly threw hot oil on him.
Jacob Smith, 20, has been in the ICU for over a week with severe burns to his face, arm and back after his coworker, Jalani Bluett, 23, allegedly threw hot oil on him at the fast food chain’s location in Yuba City, about 40 miles north of Sacramento, on May 30, and fled before police arrived.
“He’s got second-degree burns over 22 percent of his body. They said he was in excruciating pain,” his mother, Amber Smith, told KXTV.
“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 told KCRA.
Bluett, who was reported missing after the attack, was arrested just after midnight on June 1. Authorities have not shared a motive for the attack, and Smith also has no idea what led to it, his mother said on GoFundMe.
“As his mother, it broke my heart when he looked at me and said, ‘Why would he do this to me?’” Amber Smith wrote in the fundraiser.
The heartbroken mother noted in the fundraiser that her son faces a “long and painful recovery process that will include ongoing medical care, treatments and time away from work.”
“At just 20 years old, Jacob has worked hard to build a future for himself. He is engaged to be married and has always been responsible, hardworker, and committed to those he loves. This unexpected tragedy has created a major setback at a time when he should be looking forward to building his life and planning his future,” she added.
As of Monday, June 8, the fundraiser had received over $100,000 in donations, just short of its $110,000 goal. The money will be used for a range of things, from rent and housing to medical and recover-related expenses, the fundraiser says.
Meanwhile, Bluett is being held at the Sutter County Jail. He faces multiple felony charges, according to police. Authorities have said that Bluett has a disability, but declined to specify what it is.
“The arraignment was yesterday in the Sutter County Court, at which time he was held to answer on assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem, serious felony assault resulting in great bodily injury, and he was held to answer on that at the arraignment, and currently he is being held in Sutter County with no bail,” Yuba City Police Lt. Michael Bullard said.
John Cook, the owner and operator of that McDonald’s location, called the incident “deeply concerning” and said the company was focused on supporting Smith as he recovers.
“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,” Cook said.
He added: “The safety and well-being of our employees, guests and community remain our top priority. The other individual involved is no longer employed by our organization, and we are fully cooperating with local law enforcement as they continue their investigation.”
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