Maryland hairstylist seen dragging 15-year-old client in viral video speaks out: 'She ran'
A Maryland hairstylist, 18-year-old Jayla Cunningham, has been charged with assault after a viral video showed her dragging a 15-year-old client following a dispute over payment. The video, which has amassed over 54 million views, displays Cunningham shouting at the teen and asserting her dominance amid a conflict regarding a $150 hair service that included a weave. Cunningham initially uploaded the video, but the consequences rapidly escalated.
The incident reportedly began when the teenage girl attempted to leave the salon without paying. Cunningham claimed she had no choice but to drag the girl back by her hoodie to ensure she received payment. In the video, Cunningham can be heard expressing frustration, stating, "You just tried to f***** run," and indicating that the situation could have escalated further had she not intervened.
The teenager's mother has come forward to contest Cunningham's claims, stating that her daughter had accidentally sent funds to the wrong CashApp account while attempting to resolve the payment issue. She expressed concerns about her daughter’s emotional state, revealing that the girl is "not good at all" after experiencing the traumatic event. The mother subsequently filed a police report against Cunningham, describing the incident as "absolutely absurd."
In response to the charges, Cunningham stated she was unaware of the assault filing and expressed her intention to present a witness to support her version of events. She has received numerous death threats online, raising concerns for her safety. The 15-year-old’s family has engaged legal representation with the Jackson and Associates law firm and is pursuing a civil lawsuit.
Cunningham now faces a second-degree assault charge and has been summoned to appear in court on April 18. Legal representatives emphasize the gravity of the situation, highlighting that a child's safety and well-being were compromised over a misunderstanding related to a payment issue.