Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested on felony charges after allegedly attacking a California father while he was relaxing in a jacuzzi, an incident that investigators believe was intended for a TikTok video. The parents of both teens turned them in to authorities.

Greg Medina, 48, was in the hot tub at his apartment complex in San Bernardino on August 14 when the juveniles ambushed him. According to police, one of the teens kicked Medina in the back of the head while the other stole his iPhone. The unprovoked assault resulted in Medina being treated at an emergency room for a concussion.

Medina later learned the motive for the attack was to film a TikTok video. The stolen phone was taken to prevent him from calling 911. "I was glad to get an answer but disappointed TikTok was the reason," Medina told reporters. "You’re doing this and you’re not realizing that there’s a real person behind this."

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Authorities spent days searching for the suspects before their parents intervened. One of the fathers reportedly contacted Medina via Facebook, admitting his son's involvement before handing him over to detectives. The teens were subsequently booked into Juvenile Hall.

The teen accused of kicking Medina faces robbery and battery charges, while the second suspect is charged with robbery. Both youths' identities are protected due to their age.

Medina sustained a concussion, losing his AirPods and shattering his glasses during the attack. He also reported experiencing dizziness and headaches following the incident, diagnosed as post-concussion disorder. As the sole provider for his 12-year-old daughter, Medina stated he could not afford to take more than one day off work from his job as a chef for Lutheran Social Services, where he prepares meals for the homeless.

Despite the severity of the assault, Medina met with the teens and their families at the jail. He described the encounter as respectful and stated he accepted their apologies. "These boys did something very serious and need to be held accountable," Medina said. "I'm just happy that they took ownership of it, and I wasn't hurt more than I was."

The incident occurred a week before the arrests, as Medina was unwinding after a day of work. He had put in his earbuds to listen to a lecture while in the hot tub, a departure from his usual routine. Surveillance footage captured the moment the assailants approached Medina from behind. He noted that the boys did not speak during the assault and appeared to be laughing as they fled.

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Medina attempted to track his stolen phone, which was a recent purchase costing over $1,000, but authorities were unable to pinpoint its location within the large apartment complex. He expressed concern that such an act could have been far more dangerous, potentially leading to him losing consciousness or drowning in the jacuzzi.

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Medina stated that he forgave the boys, emphasizing their need for help. He also acknowledged the parental responsibility in such situations, suggesting that parents should also be held accountable for their children's actions.