Tennessee Wendy’s manager fired after she tied neurodivergent worker to kitchen equipment; claimed it was a ‘TikTok trend’

A Wendy’s restaurant manager in Tennessee reportedly admitted to tying a neurodivergent worker to a kitchen grill. 19-year-old Michiko Burton has since been fired from her position and charged by the police. She is facing up to a year behind bars, but she claims it was all part of a bizarre TikTok trend.

Burton was not initially arrested over the incident, as the worker she tied to the grill was not injured, reports The New York Post. However, footage that later surfaced online prompted the police to investigate once again.

In a case of restaurant staff taking things too far, the neurodivergent worker is seen with bin bags tied around his ankle, with the other end being tied to the foot of the grill, essentially preventing him from leaving the immediate area of the kitchen equipment. After seeing the footage, cops looked into the matter once again, resulting in Burton’s arrest.

Burton was reportedly questioned earlier this month by authorities, with Murfreesboro police saying she claimed that “the incident was part of a TikTok trend, and she tied a worker, who is neurodivergent, to a workstation.” The exact trend Burton was referring to is unclear.

Police also said that “the incident was referred to Adult Protective Services and investigated by detectives with the Special Victims Unit.” The investigation ultimately led to an arrest warrant being obtained for Burton.

Michiko Burton is arrested and charged

Burton was charged with a misdemeanour offense of simple assault and false imprisonment, according to The New York Post. If convicted, she could face up to a year in prison. 

The video also caused outrage amongst the chiefs at Wendy’s who distanced themslevs and the brand from the drama, with the chain’s area manager branding her actions “unacceptable.” The area manager also confirmed that Burton was no longer working for Wendy’s. “That is why Michi is not here anymore,” the area manager said, adding, “Michi is no longer a manager for us.”

Nicholus Murphy, a former colleague of Burton’s, was the individual who recorded the video of the co-worker tied to the grill. He told WSMV 4 that he “felt sad for him,” and so took the video and shared it with a local news station. 

Murphy also questioned the former Wendy’s manager’s claim that the whole stunt was for a TikTok trend, asking, “If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Murphy claimed he felt a duty to speak up for his co-worker, saying, “They deserve justice,” adding that the individual in the video “deserves a person here having his back.”

(Featured image: Murfreesboro Police Department, Nicholus Murphy)

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