A Maryland hairstylist will serve six months of dwelling confinement after posting a viral video of herself assaulting a 15-year-old braiding shopper over a fee dispute.
Jayla A. Cunningham, a 19-year-old hairstylist from Laurel, was sentenced Thursday, Jan. 22, to 5 years in jail, with all however six months suspended, to be served underneath home arrest, Fox 5 reported.
“I actually do remorse what I did,” Cunningham advised Decide Michael Pearson in Prince George’s County Circuit Courtroom earlier than he handed down the sentence, in accordance with The Washington Put up. “Are you able to place confidence in me? Are you able to consider in me that I’m making an attempt?”
Whereas Pearson stated he had no purpose to consider Cunningham was a foul particular person, he famous that the proof — together with the video she posted displaying her dragging her teen shopper towards the door by her hood—was inconceivable to disregard.
“The disregard you confirmed that younger girl on that day is unacceptable,” he stated. “I belief you’re going to study from it.”
In March 2025, Cunningham, who on the time operated a licensed hair-braiding enterprise out of her Temple Hills condo, claimed in courtroom paperwork that she spent hours putting in a weave and that the shopper, who had agreed to pay $150, tried to depart with out paying as soon as the model was full.
The lady was making an attempt to pay her electronically when she bumped into hassle. The teenager’s mom later filed prices, alleging Cunningham pulled her daughter’s hair. In accordance with the mom, Cunningham advised the lady “to not transfer till I get my cash” earlier than approaching her with a pair of scissors.
Cunningham’s legal professional argued she approached the shopper with scissors to take away the service, to not trigger hurt, and stated his shopper wants “enterprise abilities, coaching, [and] anger administration.”
In November, a jury convicted Cunningham of second-degree assault, which carries a most sentence of 10 years in jail. She had requested the choose for probation.
Throughout Thursday’s listening to, Cunningham stated she had moved into the condo simply two weeks earlier than the incident and was frightened about not being paid. She additionally stated she was struggling together with her psychological well being and an abusive relationship on the time. Though proof confirmed she posted a number of movies and posts on-line admitting to and defending the assault, she later stopped posting and despatched the shopper an apology by way of textual content.
Following her dwelling detention, Cunningham might be on probation and should endure psychological well being remedy and full anger administration as a part of her sentence.
