Social workers were on edge Thursday at a Department of Child and Family Services office in Sante Fe Springs after their co-worker was doused with a chemical and seriously injured.
The attack happened at about 4:25 p.m. on Wednesday outside the DCFS office at 10355 Slusher Drive. A man and a woman in a sedan drove up to the victim and asked if she worked for DCFS. The woman confirmed and the female suspect in the passenger seat threw a chemical substance at the victim. The victim suffered second-degree burns to her forearms.
DCFS officials don't believe the victim was specifically targeted, but say it could have been intended for anyone at the office.
Social workers said the attack made them more alert and cautious about their own welfare. Co-workers have been walking together in the parking lot and working in pairs. Police were also patroling the DCFS parking lot.
Lamarr Mills, a first-year social worker, said the assault made him think about his safety.
"You're always thinking I have a job to do and I'm thinking is this child safe. ... You become shocked. You think this could have happened to any of us here at the office," he said.
Police did not have much information about the attackers' description or a licence plate number of the vehicle the suspects were driving.
Jennifer Lopez, a DCFS regional administrator, said the victim was probably in so much shock after the attack that she couldn't explain what happened.
"I think a lot of people don't like social workers despite the amazing work they do every single day," she said.
No surveillance video was available outside of the building, but DCFS officials are now considering the addition of cameras.
