A Tennessee Wendy’s manager has been arrested after police said she tied a neurodivergent co-worker to a kitchen grill and claimed the act was part of a TikTok stunt.
Michiko Burton, 19, was charged Thursday and could face up to a year in jail over the alleged attempt to gain views online.
Burton, who has since been fired from the Murfreesboro fast-food restaurant, was not initially arrested because the worker was not injured. Police said she allegedly wrapped garbage bags around his leg before tying him to a grill.
The case moved forward after a colleague recorded a troubling video showing the worker restrained. The footage later came to light, prompting police to investigate further.
When questioned earlier this month, Burton told investigators that “the incident was part of a TikTok trend” and acknowledged tying the neurodivergent employee to a workstation, according to Murfreesboro police.
“The incident was referred to Adult Protective Services and investigated by detectives with the Special Victims Unit,” police said.
“The investigation led to warrants being obtained for Burton’s arrest.”
Burton faces charges of simple assault and false imprisonment, a misdemeanor offense that can carry a sentence of up to one year in jail.
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Wendy’s executives expressed outrage after seeing the video.
The chain’s area manager described Burton’s conduct as “unacceptable.”
“That is why Michi is not here anymore,” the area manager said. “Michi is no longer a manager for us.”
Nicholus Murphy, Burton’s former colleague and the person who recorded the video, also questioned her explanation of the incident.
“If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Murphy said.
Murphy said he believed he had a responsibility to defend his co-worker and bring attention to what happened.
“They deserve justice,” he said. “He deserves a person here having his back.”
“Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do.”
Around 20 percent of the global population is neurodivergent, according to the Neurodiversity Directory. The term is an umbrella designation that includes conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia.