“He’s got 2nd degree burns over 22% of his body. They said he was in excruciating pain yesterday,” the victim’s mother said.
YUBA COUNTY, Calif. — A Northern California McDonald’s shift manager is recovering after police said a coworker threw hot oil on him, leaving him with second-degree burns over 22% of his body.
Jacob Smith, 20, was attacked Saturday at the restaurant where he works, according to the police department in Yuba City, a city of about 70,000 located 40 miles north of Sacramento.
“My son is God-fearing. He would give anything to anybody. If he had $5 in his wallet and you needed it, he would just give it to you,” said Amber Smith about her son, describing Jacob as a positive light in her life
She said he is now trying to remain positive as he recovers from his injuries.
“He’s got second-degree burns over 22% of his body. They said he was in excruciating pain yesterday,” Smith said.
Police said officers responded Saturday after receiving a report that Jacob had been attacked by another employee.
“The victim was up walking around ambulatory and able to communicate with them, but had obvious burn marks on his upper torso and his face area,” said Yuba City police Lt. Michael Bullard.
Investigators said 23-year-old Jalani Bluett allegedly threw hot oil on Jacob before leaving the restaurant before officers’ arrival.
Shortly after Bluett left, the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office released a missing person flyer saying he was considered at risk due to a diagnosis and vulnerabilities.
Police said Bluett was later found and arrested by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office shortly after midnight June 1.
Bluett is being held in the Sutter County Jail and faces multiple charges. Police said investigators have not determined a motive for the attack.
“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,” Bullard said.
Smith said her son is recovering and staying positive. She started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his bills and said she is grateful for the support her son has received from the community.
The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office said Bluett was initially reported missing by family members. The agency also acknowledged Bluett has a disability but declined to specify what it is.