A disturbing incident at Draft Picks Barbershop on O’Neal Lane in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has triggered community outrage after a stylist allegedly attempted to cut off the braids of an 11-year-old girl during a heated confrontation over a $25 late fee.
The dispute unfolded when the child’s mother and grandmother arrived approximately ten minutes late for a scheduled hair appointment. According to reports, the stylist invoked the salon’s $25 late fee policy, which applies after a ten-minute grace period. However, the mother insisted they arrived within the time limit and contested the additional charge.
What happened next has shocked many.
A now-viral video shows the stylist attempting to cut the child’s freshly styled braids. The girl’s pregnant mother intervened to stop the stylist and was reportedly injured during the altercation. Law enforcement was called to the scene, but as of now, no charges have been filed.
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The child’s grandmother, Conchota Singleton, spoke out against the incident, stating:
“You do not have the right to cut the style out of the child’s head. There are ways to handle things. You can’t take the law into your own hands.”
In response to the backlash, TJ Malveaux, owner of Draft Picks Barbershop, issued a formal apology:
“We extend our sincerest apologies to the client and family affected. This incident does not reflect the values or standards we uphold at Draft Picks. We are taking immediate steps to review and strengthen our policies, as well as provide additional training to our staff.”
The family has indicated they will be pursuing legal action and are consulting with the district attorney’s office regarding potential charges against the stylist.
