ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A fundraiser was held Wednesday afternoon for a teenage employee who was beaten at a north St. Louis County McDonald's.
Supervisor Thaddis Henderson has overseen the location on Parker Road for six months.
"She's a model employee, she takes pride in what she does. We're trying to show love and give back to her," Henderson said about Aryiah Lynch. "She shows the expectations that we are looking for."
The 15-year-old was the April employee of the month.
Supervisor Thaddis Henderson is happy with her work ethic.
"She's bubbly, we just love her," he said.
It's love they want to show her now more than ever.
On Wednesday, there was a fundraiser to help her with medical costs. The owner, Jimmy Williams, wanted to do it to help.
"Just the video, we saw it was a lot to look at, especially for someone being a sweetheart like Aryiah," Henderson said.
On April 8, police said 25-year-old Johnny Ricks was an upset customer.
A video circulating shows a man who police say is Ricks grab her by her hair and then stomp on her head. As she got up, police said Ricks swung at her again, hitting her in the head.
As an editorial decision, 5 On Your Side decided to only air some images of the fight due to its violent nature.
Ricks is charged with first-degree assault and property damage. He was originally charged with second-degree assault, but last week it was upgraded.
The courts explained it reflects the severity of the injury.
Henderson has been working for McDonald's for 21 years and he's seen a fair share of incidents, but nothing like this.
"Never this graphic," he admitted.
Lynch needs a second surgery for her broken nose and the Hazelwood East student is having head pains.
Coworker Sanaya McGee shared, "When I saw what happened, it was like a rage moment. I was like 'Aryiah is so sweet', that's what I kept saying, she is so sweet. She don't deserve it at all."
Lynch's stepmom said her daughter was working to save money for her 16th birthday this week.
"Her birthday is coming up and I will be there!" McGee said with a laugh.
The fundraiser shows they'll all be there for Lynch.
"It's something she deserves, even when that happened to her she said she still wants to come back to work," McGee told 5 On Your Side.
A GoFundMe set up for Lynch has raised more than $40,000. To donate, click here.
Ricks is still in jail.
Ricks has previous arrests and was on probation for a 2021 assault at the time of the McDonald's incident. He pleaded guilty to third-degree assault in that case.
Ricks is being held on a $150,000 cash only, without 10% bond. Some of the bond conditions require him to stay 500 feet away from any McDonalds and have no contact with the victim.
5 On Your Side reached out to Ricks' attorney, who declined to comment.