A former Wendy’s manager in Tennessee was arrested last month after allegedly tying a neurodivergent employee to a grill at the fast-food restaurant.
Michiko Burton, 19, acknowledged the allegations and was charged by the Murfreesboro Police Department with misdemeanor simple assault and false imprisonment.
Burton told police on September 6 that the incident was part of a TikTok trend and admitted to restraining the employee, Fox 8 reported.
The case was referred to Adult Protective Services, while detectives from the Special Victims Unit investigated the incident.
Isaac Kimes, an attorney representing the employee’s family, described the episode as deeply traumatic in an interview with Fox 8.
“The young man in the video seen now by millions is not doing well,” Kimes said.
He added that the family, like many others, believes tying an employee to a grill was “absolutely inappropriate, unsafe, and dehumanizing.”
“Dave Thomas wouldn’t approve of chaining an employee to a grill,” Kimes said, referring to Wendy’s founder.
Burton was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $2,000 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for October 22.
Former Wendy’s manager Michiko Burton, 19, admitted tying a neurodivergent employee to a grill and said it was part of a TikTok trend.
The neurodivergent employee has not been identified. His family is reportedly weighing possible legal action.
Burton was reportedly fired by Wendy’s, which issued a statement condemning her alleged actions.
Murfreesboro police interviewed the employee, who told officers that he was not upset and had not been injured.
However, Kimes said this week that the family is considering legal action and asked police to reopen the investigation after video appeared to show the worker tied to kitchen equipment.
The video was recorded by another employee, Nicholus Murphy.
“I actually felt sad for him,” Murphy said. “I actually wanted to cry.”
Murphy said Burton told staff she needed the neurodivergent employee to “stay put” while she handled work in the back office.
The employee was reportedly restrained near the grill for approximately seven minutes.
According to the police report, Burton said the incident was intended as a joke and followed a TikTok trend. Murphy and the employee’s family have challenged that explanation.
“If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Murphy said.
In a recorded meeting with staff, an area manager called the incident ‘unacceptable’ and said Burton was no longer employed at the restaurant.
The Wendy’s general manager also confirmed that a manager was fired because of the incident, according to WSMV4.
In a statement, Wendy’s of Bowling Green, the franchisee that owns and operates the restaurant, said: ‘The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority.
‘This behavior is inconsistent with our values and the standards we expect in our restaurants.
‘Upon learning of the situation, it was promptly investigated and appropriate action was taken.
‘We remain committed to maintaining a respectful workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.’
The Daily Mail contacted Burton, Kimes and Wendy’s for comment.