McDonald’s employee in ICU after co-worker allegedly threw hot oil on him

YUBA CITY, Calif. (KCRA) - A 20-year-old California McDonald’s employee is in the hospital with serious injuries following a reported assault.

Jacob Smith suffered painful burns on the side of his face, neck, right arm, and back, according to his family.

Smith is currently in the ICU and recovering from those injuries after police say a co-worker reportedly threw a hot liquid on him.

Smith’s mother, Amber Smith, says her son was getting ready to end his shift when he was hit with hot oil.

The alleged assault happened last Saturday and a week later, Jacob Smith remains in the burn unit undergoing specialized treatment.

“The pain he’s experiencing is so excruciating that they can’t give him a level of pain medicine outside of the ICU,” Amber Smith said.

According to the 20-year-old’s mother, doctors are trying to decrease the size of the burn on his back and neck area to try to minimize the amount of skin grafting they’re looking at having to do.

Yuba City police have identified the suspect as Jalani Bluett, but what led up to the alleged assault remains unclear. Bluett was arrested by Sutter County deputies on charges of battery causing serious bodily injury.

“I want justice to be served. I want him to understand what he did and the pain that he caused to my son,” Amber Smith said.

Jacob Smith is expected to undergo surgery next week. His family says they are taking it day by day.

McDonald’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.