A McDonald’s worker in California, Jacob Smith, is hospitalized with burns after a serious incident at a Yuba City McDonald’s on May 30. The 20-year-old suffered burns across his face, neck, arm, and back when a coworker allegedly threw hot oil on him.
According to his mother, Amber Smith, Jacob was preparing to leave when the attack occurred. He was counting money in the office when he noticed something from the corner of his eye. As he turned, hot oil was thrown at him. Yuba City police identified the suspect as Jalani Bluett, age 23.
Bluett reportedly fled the scene but was arrested by Sutter County deputies on May 31. Online court records indicate that he has been charged with felony battery with serious bodily injury, felony mayhem, and felony assault with a deadly weapon. Bluett has entered a plea of not guilty. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and Bluett’s public defender has not commented.
John Cook, the owner and operator of the Yuba City McDonald’s, confirmed that Bluett no longer works for the company. Cook emphasized the organization’s commitment to employee safety, stating, “The serious incident that took place at our restaurant is deeply concerning, and our focus is on supporting our employee, Jacob, as he recovers. The safety and well-being of our employees, guests, and community remain our top priority.”
Amber Smith revealed that Jacob sustained injuries on one side of his face, down his neck, and along his right arm and back. Doctors are working to reduce the burn size to limit the extent of necessary skin grafting. Jacob is experiencing significant pain during his recovery in the UC Davis ICU burn unit.