McDonald’s worker Jacob Smith suffers severe burns after coworker Jalani Bluett allegedly throws hot oil

A McDonald’s worker is fighting for life after allegedly being doused in scalding hot oil by a co-worker in what his family has described as a random and unprovoked alleged attack.

Jacob Smith, 20, reportedly suffered second-degree burns to his face, neck, arm and back after fellow employee Jalani Bluett, 23, allegedly threw hot oil over him while they were working at a McDonald’s restaurant.

Speaking to KCRA, Mr Smith’s mother, Amber Smith, said her son had been preparing to count money in the office when the alleged attack occurred.

“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,” she claimed.

Mr Bluett allegedly fled the restaurant following the incident and was later listed as a missing person by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, which said he was “considered at risk due to a diagnosis and vulnerabilities”.

He was subsequently located and arrested, and now faces multiple felony charges, including battery causing serious bodily injury.

Police have not disclosed a motive for the alleged attack. Mr Smith’s family say they remain baffled by what led to the incident.

“As his mother, it broke my heart when he looked at me and said, ‘Why would he do this to me?’,” Mrs Smith said.

The 20-year-old remains in hospital as doctors work to reduce the severity of his injuries and minimise the need for skin grafts.

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

In the wake of the attack, Mrs Smith launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover mounting medical expenses.

“What should have been a normal day at work turned into a nightmare,” she wrote on the fundraising page.

She said her family was focused on supporting Mr Smith through his recovery while seeking accountability for the alleged attack.

“I want justice to be served. I want him to serve the time he needs to serve for what he’s done to my son,” Mrs Smith said.

“I mean, I don’t wish bad things towards him. I just want him to understand that what he did — really understand what he did — and the pain that he caused to my son is excruciating.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.