The manager of a McDonald's restaurant in Yuba City, California, has been hospitalized. According to the New York Post, this follows an employee allegedly throwing scalding hot oil over him during a shift.
20-year-old Jacob Smith tragically suffered third-degree burns to his face, neck, hands, and shoulders. He is currently receiving emergency medical treatment at the UC Davis Medical Center.
The alleged attack happened on May 30. 23-year-old Jalani Bluett is accused of throwing the boiling oil at Smith. Bluett was originally reported missing following the alleged vicious attack. He was later brought into custody after authorities figured out where he was, days after.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Bluett was taken into Sutter County Jail. He is currently facing a charge of battery causing serious bodily injury.
The McDonald's Manager's Mother Released a Heartbreaking Statement
Amber Smith, the mother of the McDonald's manager, explained that her son was "working hard to build a life for himself."
"My son has an amazing spirit and in the midst of all of this has been positive and trying to make us feel better," she explained. "It was just so random of a thing, he's a really good kid and it's not just because he's my son, he's just a really good kid and has a good positive spirit about him."
Smith is currently slated to have several additional surgeries in the coming weeks. One surgery includes a skin graft procedure due to the nature of the burns.
Jacob Smith Released a Statement About the Situation
Amber Smith has made a GoFundMe to help with medical costs related to his recovery. As of June 7, there has been over $36,000 donated through almost 500 donations.
There, Amber released a statement wrote by Jacob in hospital. It reads in part, "As much as I want to be angry, or want to hate people and be scared of people... It's just so hard to be when I have so many people showing their love for me."
"I'm not sad and I'm not angry and the pain doesn't cause me grief because I know it's necessary to heal, I'm so thankful for everybody."
He finished the statement with a reminder for "everyone to stay loving and kind". He added, "if God can bring out the best possible result in the worst situation for me then I believe he can do it for you too!!"
