Louisiana hairstylist fired after cutting 11-year-old’s braids off over $25 fee [VIDEO]
Shocking Incident at Draft Picks Barbershop in Baton Rouge
On April 14, 2025, a hair appointment for an 11-year-old girl at Draft Picks Barbershop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was canceled and rescheduled for the following day. On April 15, the girl and her mother arrived at 5:10 PM—ten minutes past their scheduled time. According to the hairstylist, this violated the grace period policy, triggering a $25 late fee.
The mother had already prepaid for her daughter’s braiding service. So, she refused to pay the additional late fee. What followed shocked the family and sparked national outrage: the hairstylist grabbed scissors and began cutting off the young girl’s freshly braided hair.
The Altercation Turns Violent
When the pregnant mother attempted to stop the hairstylist from cutting her daughter’s hair, the situation escalated. The hairstylist reportedly slashed the mother’s hand with the scissors during the confrontation, causing her to bleed. Witnesses, including another barber and a client, intervened to defuse the altercation.
Surveillance footage from inside the barbershop, later shared on social media, confirms the chaos that unfolded. Three individuals can be seen: one standing (presumed to be the mother), another seated (likely the 11-year-old), and the hairstylist near a counter. The footage further fueled public outrage as the disturbing visuals spread across platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
As a result, there’s a lot of scrutiny being leveled at the barbershop. In addition, there are people with plenty of choice words for the stylist. However, reports say the stylist has been handled.
Immediate Fallout: Stylist Fired
In response to the incident, Draft Picks Barbershop owner TJ Malveaux took swift action. He confirmed to media outlets including the Daily Mail and WBRZ that the hairstylist had been fired immediately following the incident.
“We do not condone or tolerate the actions… This incident does not reflect our values or standards.” — TJ Malveaux, Barbershop Owner
Malveaux also issued a formal apology to the family and the community, emphasizing the shop’s commitment to client safety and professional service. He added that new training protocols would be implemented to prevent future incidents.
Despite the apology issued from the owner, the family is not pleased.
The Grandmother Speaks Out
Conchota Singleton, the grandmother of the young girl, took to Facebook to recount the horrifying experience. Her post included the following:
“So she braids my granddaughter’s hair, and when my daughter refused to pay $25, she threatens to take my granddaughter’s hair down. So my daughter and the young lady share words, and SHE grabs scissors y’all! My daughter is trying to get her daughter and the stylist CUTS my daughter y’all! My daughter is 6 months pregnant!”
Singleton further explained that the stylist had been the one to cancel the original appointment, raising questions about the legitimacy of the $25 late fee demand.
“One, you canceled the initial appointment. Two, you picked up scissors to a child’s head, regardless of the intent.”
Legal Action Underway
Despite the physical injury and emotional distress caused, police were called to the scene but did not press criminal charges. Outraged by what she perceives as an inadequate response, Singleton announced that the family intends to pursue the matter further by contacting the district attorney’s office.
“You do not have the right to cut the style out of the child’s head. There’s ways to handle things. You can’t take the law into your own hands.” — Conchota Singleton
The family argues that the stylist’s decision to cut the child’s hair—and physically injure a pregnant woman—is not just unprofessional but potentially criminal.
Because of the injuries sustained over something so minor, the family has taken action. On top of the mother getting injured, the child was victimized, and had to witness this fight. So, there are numerous legal possibilites.
Online Backlash and Public Reaction
The story, first widely circulated through a viral X post by Collin Rugg, sparked immediate outrage online. Hundreds of users took to social media to condemn the stylist’s actions and express support for the family.
@Syl_Stormrider: “This woman is a monster. Who does that to a child?”
@JaneAdams: “This isn’t even just about hair. That stylist is psychotic. This needs legal attention ASAP.”
@johnEiid: “All that over a $25 fee YOU basically caused? Unreal.”
Others debated the ethics of late fee policies in service industries and criticized how rigid rules can sometimes spiral into unacceptable behavior.
Most people who are used to dealing with barbers and stylists know how long wait times can be. In some instances, things can get downright ridiculous. Such a scenario was lampooned on an episode of FX’s “Atlanta,” produced by Childish Gambino.
Surveillance Footage Supports Claims
The Daily Mail, WBRZ, and international outlets such as The Times of India and VidMax.com all reported on the surveillance footage, which reportedly shows the stylist cutting the child’s braids while a confrontation unfolds. While not all footage has been publicly released, screenshots and clips have circulated widely. Therefore, providing visual context for the disturbing event.
Comparative Context: Hair Braiding Laws in Louisiana
Although not directly related to this specific incident, Louisiana’s long-standing debate over braiding licenses has previously brought the state under scrutiny. Legal challenges against requirements for hair braiders to undergo 500 hours of unrelated cosmetology training have been widely discussed in the past. This context does not excuse the stylist’s actions. However, it does shed light on the regulatory environment surrounding hair services in the state.
Conclusion: What Happens Next?
As of April 24, 2025, the incident at Draft Picks Barbershop remains unresolved in the legal system. The stylist has been terminated, and the family is pressing forward with demands for justice. The broader implications—ranging from how late fees are enforced to protecting clients from harm—continue to spark heated debate.
This case underscores how a seemingly minor policy dispute can escalate into a serious conflict when professionalism breaks down. It also highlights the power of social media to bring light to injustice and pressure institutions to take meaningful action.
As the story develops, one thing is clear: this family won’t rest until accountability is achieved.