A Louisiana family is angry after a hairstylist attempted to cut the braids off an 11-year-old girl’s head. The altercation, which occurred in the city of Baton Rouge, stemmed from the client arriving at Draft Picks Barbershop with her mother minutes after her appointment was scheduled.
The barbershop’s security camera captured the altercation, showing the stylist in what appears to be a heated discussion with the mother after she had finished styling the girl’s hair. Shortly after, the stylist reaches for scissors and brings them to the child’s braids. The mother grabs the braids before the stylist starts shearing off the braids.
A tug-of-war ensues with the braids as both parties yank at the child’s hair. Two other workers in the barbershop intervened, and after much effort, managed to get the hairstylist to release the girl’s hair. The footage ends shortly after the stylist removes the cape.
The family says the confrontation stemmed from arriving ten minutes late to a scheduled appointment. The little girl’s grandmother, Conchota Singleton, is now demanding accountability and justice. According to Singleton’s account, the stylist had originally cancelled the initial appointment and rescheduled it.
When the mother and daughter showed up at 5:10 p.m., the Louisiana hairstylist reportedly cited a $25 late fee, which is charged to clients arriving more than ten minutes late.
Singleton said her daughter, the pregnant woman, told the stylist, “Your grace period states that I’m late after ten minutes. I was here at 5:10,” according to USA Crime. However, the stylist still tried to cut off the child’s braids.
“You do not have the right to cut the style out of the child’s head. There’s ways to handle things,” Singleton said. “You can’t take the law into your own hands.”
Baton Rouge Police responded to a call at the barbershop located on O’Neal Lane. According to a report, the pregnant mother suffered a cut to her hand from the scissors during the altercation, but no charges were filed. Officers reportedly told the family there was no intent to cause harm, a conclusion Singleton strongly disagrees with.
“They told me that there was no intent, that she was not trying to cut my daughter’s hand, but my issue is once she picked up scissors, she became a threat,” she added.
Following the incident, Draft Picks Barbershop issued a public statement and confirmed that the stylist had been terminated. Owner TJ Malveaux expressed regret and emphasised that the actions of the former employee do not reflect the values of the business.
