Remember this story?
From Yahoo News:
Exotic dancer set on fire outside LA bar
“An exotic dancer was set on fire outside the club where she worked early Thursday, burning more than 60 percent of her body, police said. They were searching for two suspects.
A woman and a man called the 27-year-old dancer outside around 1 a.m. and then doused her with a flammable liquid next to the Babes & Beer sports club in the San Fernando Valley, police said. The dancer ran back inside and patrons came to her aid, police said.”
While looking for news to blog about tonight I found an update.
From the Los Angeles Times:
Woman charged in attack on exotic dancer
“A 27-year-old woman was charged today with attempted murder, mayhem and torture for allegedly throwing an accelerant from a soda bottle on an exotic dancer and setting her ablaze last week outside a Tarzana nightclub.
Rianne Celine Theriault-Odom, 28, allegedly had a verbal exchange with the 27-year-old dancer outside Babes & Beer about 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Theriault-Odom allegedly doused Roberta Busby of Simi Valley, a single mother of two, with a flammable liquid from a soda bottle and set her on fire. The victim remains in critical condition at Grossman Burn Center. Theriault-Odom faces up to life in prison if convicted of the charges.
(snip)
Robison said prosecutors declined to file charges against Petrillo because there was insufficient evidence to prove he participated in the attack. However, he is being held on a separate probation violation, Robison said.”
A fund has been set up for the victim and her family.
From True Crime Report:
Exotic Dancer Set on Fire in California: Her name is Roberta Busby
“Busby was more than an anonymous victim. She was a mother. She was trying to earn a living. She had children to support.
That’s why a fund has been set up to help Busby’s children. KCAL TV reports that if you want to help Busby’s children, you “bring a check in to any Washington Mutual branch,
made out to “Rodrigo Busby For The Benefit Of The Children Of Roberta Busby”
or send a check to
3835 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., #256
Westlake Village, CA 91362″
Luke Is Back has more info about Busby and the attack:
Dancer Roberta Busby Recovering & Back Story
“Tarzana- Roberta Busby’s daughter Gabriella turned 5 recently. But the 27-year-old single mother of two couldn’t join the family celebration.
Busby remained secluded in an intensive care ward at the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks, recovering from second- and third-degree burns over 40% of her body.
Nearly three weeks ago, she was set ablaze in what police say was a vicious attack at a Tarzana club where Busby worked as an exotic dancer. She’s undergone several painful skin grafts and faces still more. Her wounds extend from her waist to her face and are so severe that she can barely talk, her brother Rodrigo Busby said. Doctors say she is stable but needs to remain in the hospital for at least several more weeks, leaving relatives to take turns caring for her two daughters, Gabriella and 8-year-old Marissa.
Police say Roberta Busby had a heated argument with Rianne Theriault-Odom, 29, on Feb. 5 at Babes N’ Beer, a funky bikini-dancing and sports bar near the gritty intersection of Reseda Boulevard and Oxnard Street. Theriault-Odom then allegedly doused Busby with gasoline from a soda bottle and set her on fire, police said.”
I think it’s wonderful that her family is being so supportive. What’s also nice is that I’ve read a few stories now that treat Busby with respect while reporting on the attack. Let’s hope this case sees some justice happen.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:20 PM CST