Josephine County residents are rallying to support 23-year-old Naudya Weichers, a Dollar General cashier who was severely injured during a robbery on September 30, 2025. Her sister, Korena Weichers, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Naudya and her young son as she recovers from the brutal assault.
The attack occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. at the Dollar General on 3625 Merlin Road. Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a robbery in progress. According to investigators, 72-year-old Mark Warren Whidden approached the counter and told the employees he was going to rob them. He then threw a cup containing muriatic acid at two workers, causing severe chemical burns. Both victims fled to a nearby restroom to try to rinse off the chemical, but Whidden followed, cornering them with a knife and attempting further assault.
Deputies arrived quickly, aided by detailed witness descriptions, and took Whidden into custody without further incident. He was found in possession of both the acid and the knife. Oregon State Police, AMR, and Rural Metro assisted at the scene, and both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of chemical burns. Whidden was booked into the Josephine County Jail on charges including first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing.
The injuries have left Naudya blind in her right eye and unable to return to either of her two jobs. With medical bills mounting and a young child to care for, Korena launched a GoFundMe to provide financial stability during her sister’s recovery. “We would never ask for help unless it was truly necessary. At this time, any contribution, no matter how small, would make an enormous difference in helping them get through this crisis,” Korena wrote on the fundraiser page.
The campaign aims to cover medical expenses, lost income, and living costs as Naudya begins a long recovery process from the traumatic event. Community members who wish to contribute can find the fundraiser at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-naudya-recover-from-acid-attack.