A Bloomington woman pleaded not guilty at an initial hearing Friday to a felony battery charge after allegedly burning a coworker with nitrous oxide during an employee Christmas party.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Pandora Milan Langley, 22, is accused of spraying nitrous oxide on Kyla Hesch’s leg, causing a second-degree burn. The incident occurred on January 12 at the Bluebird Nightclub, where both women were employed.
Langley was charged with Level 6 felony battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Hesch told police that she and Langley went to the restroom together during the party. Langley, who was carrying a can of nitrous oxide, allegedly sprayed the gas directly onto Hesch’s right thigh as she exited the bathroom stall. Police said the freezing effect burned through Hesch’s leggings, leaving a visible hole in the fabric and causing immediate, severe pain.
Hesch initially attempted to remain at the party but left shortly after with a friend due to the increasing discomfort. In the following days, as the burn worsened, she sought medical attention at an urgent care clinic, where she was diagnosed with a second-degree burn.
Text messages exchanged between Hesch and Langley after the incident show that Langley claimed she did not recall the incident and was intoxicated, police said. Langley apologized and offered to pay for medical supplies for treatment.
However, as their conversation continued, Langley allegedly placed some of the blame on Hesch for not seeking treatment sooner before eventually stopping communication.