Suspect in brutal beating of mother in Salem, NJ turns self in to police

SALEM, N.J. -- The woman police say attacked a New Jersey mother in front of her 2-year-old son has turned herself into authorities.

25-year-old Latia Harris surrendered to police Monday night in connection to last week's beating that was captured on video.

null

Harris faces two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of making terroristic threats.

Days after the incident, Action News spoke with the victim, 27-year-old Catherine Ferreira.

"I'm trying to tell her like, 'You just go about your business, I don't wanna fight you," Ferreira said.

The 4'9" tall, 100 pound Ferreira says the attack left her with a broken nose and a mild concussion.

Police say Harris is the attacker seen in the video wearing a red McDonald's uniform.

The fight ensued because investigators believe Harris thought Ferreira, a one-time coworker, had spread rumors about a romantic relationship between Harris and a work supervisor - one that Harris thought could jeopardize her job.

Ferreira concedes she spoke about the pair but that it didn't justify an attack.

"This is cool? Oh we're videotaping a fight, they don't understand that I could have been dead right now. If she hit me in the right spot, it would have been over. McDonald's isn't worth it, a guy isn't worth it," she said.

On the video the suspect is seen kicking Ferreira while she is laying on the ground and spitting at her.

This all happens as the Ferreira's 2-year-old son was right there, trying to intervene by kicking and screaming at the suspect.

At one point in the video, the attacker threatens to kick the child in the face.

Police are outraged that several people witnessed the attack but did nothing except record it on their cell phones.

"One that it occurred in front of a 2-year-old and two because people didn't intervene. The video is clear, you can see people not looking at the fight itself but looking at their camera looking at the fight," said Chief John Pelura, Salem Police.

Meanwhile, Jim Burlaga, the owner and operators of the McDonalds where Harris worked, released the following statement:

"I am aware of the incident involving one of my employees earlier this week. I am extremely disturbed by this kind of behavior and it goes against the values and standards that I expect from my employees in my restaurants. This employee will not be serving customers pending this important police investigation and I'm fully cooperating with the local police in this matter."

Harris did not show up for work following the incident.