A random woman threw acid in her face; 18 months later, scars fade as impact lingers

This article contains graphic images.

Juanita Jimenez's intuition and advice from her father led the then-21-year-old to pull out her phone and start recording a woman walking extremely close to her on a New York City subway platform in 2022.

The woman, later identified as Rodlin Gravesande of Georgia, trailed her until they reached the top of a staircase at the Brooklyn train station. Seconds later, prosecutors say she randomly splashed acid in Jimenez's face and fled before she could open her eyes.

"When she was following me down the whole platform, I acted like I was on the phone. I wasn't talking to her at all," Jimenez recalled during an interview with USA TODAY. "My dad always taught me that if I see someone getting close, act like you're on the phone with me and record a video. So, I was doing exactly that. I'm just being aware of my surroundings, hoping she doesn't push me into the tracks."

Jimenez said the video played a crucial role in identifying the suspect since there were no cameras at that specific train station.

More:12-year-old girl accused of attacking another child with acid at Detroit playground

'Agonizing pain'

Earlier that night on Dec. 2, 2022, Jimenez was in her new Brooklyn apartment preparing for work as a personal care assistant at Kings County Hospital. It was her first day commuting to her job from her new location.

While on the 2 train, her assailant came in the car, causing a disruption in front of other passengers. When they both got off at the same stop at Winthrop Street Station, that's where the woman whipped the acid bottle out of her coat and assaulted Jimenez, who thought the substance was poison.

"It was immediate pain. I just started screaming in agonizing pain," Jimenez said. "She ran immediately. I started taking off everything because the acid burned through every single thing I had on. It burned through my coat, my hoodie, my scarf, my mask, and everything."

Jimenez immediately walked a few blocks away to the hospital where she worked, going directly to the ER. Hours later, she was transported to Jacobi Medical Center's burn unit, where she remained for several days.

There's been an uptick in violence against women in the city

In recent years, there has been a rise in physical assaults against women in New York City, according to police data obtained by the New York Post.

"Girls of color and women of color are more impacted by the safety, or the lack of safety, in New York City," Brianna Baker, Executive Director of Justice for Black Girls, told USA TODAY.

Incidents − including a wave of women who have come forward about being randomly punched in the face while walking in the street, a woman being choked with a belt during a sexual assault, or being stabbed after rejecting a man's advances − have made national headlines.

Baker pointed to the stabbing of Samiya Spain at a deli in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn in March. Her twin sister was also struck but survived her injuries. The suspect, Veo Kelly, turned himself in and was charged with second-degree murder, CBS News reported. USA TODAY reached out to Spain's family for comment.

The acts of violence "are preventing our girls from living full lives," Baker continued. "It's important that these cases are further amplified and that there are policies put in place that prevent violence against women."

Gravesande was arrested in Atlanta

Gravesande was arrested in Atlanta, just over a month after the attack. The Fulton County Sheriff's office announced that she was located at a residence in the city and taken into custody on Jan. 3, 2023, "without incident" by the SWAT unit and the U.S. Marshal's Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. She was charged with assault.

Jail records show that she is housed on Riker's Island. Her next court date was scheduled for Tuesday.

"It definitely was like a relief for me. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't get that luxury. I feel like it's such a blessing to have your attacker locked up," Jimenez said.

Jimenez recalled seeing her during a recent court appearance for the first time since the attack.

"I was taking deep breaths," she said. "I would say I was disappointed more than hurt or angry."

DM leads to offer for free plastic surgery

Jimenez no longer felt safe in her first apartment, especially as the case garnered media attention and a suspect was not immediately identified nor arrested. In the months after the attack, Jimenez didn't go outside and separated herself from her loved ones. She has yet to get back on the train and uses rideshare apps to get around.

"I was crying every night and day," she said, adding that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and hired a therapist. "I didn't know why me?"

She created a GoFundMe to raise money for hospital bills and a new car. She has raised $1,000 of her $5,000 goal.

The attack resulted in second-degree burns on her face, which caused her to be insecure. Her feelings changed when Dr. Carl Truesdale, a California-based plastic surgeon, offered to do reconstructive surgery for free after she sent him a direct message. Jimenez has openly shared her journey on her TikTok page earlier this year.

"After hearing her story and meeting with her during the consultation, I told her and her mom I'd be happy to treat her at no cost. I was drawn to her beautiful spirit and struck by such a random act of senseless violence," Truesdale told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

"I knew the surgery would be challenging and that other doctors had tried to help her. With my training as an otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon, and facial plastic surgeon, and my specialized knowledge in keloids, I knew I had to help her."

She is pleased with her results, and the surgeries have restored her confidence. Since then, the 22-year-old has completed college and intends to apply to medical school.

"I feel like I probably would never have closure," she said, acknowledging that the internal scars remain. "I probably just have to leave New York, and that's hurtful because this is where I grew up."

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com