Inset, left to right: Michiko Burton (Murfreesboro Police Dept.) and the employee Burton allegedly chained to a Wendy's grill (WSMV). Background: The Wendy's in Tenn. where the incident took place (Google Maps).
A 19-year-old woman who managed a Wendy's in Tennessee is accused of abusing a neurodivergent employee, allegedly tying the man to a grill at the restaurant and claiming her actions were part of a "TikTok trend."
Michiko Burton was taken into custody and charged with one count each of simple assault and false imprisonment, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Murfreesboro Police Department, the incident took place Aug. 30 at the Wendy's in the 3300 block of South Church Street, about 35 miles southeast of Nashville.
MPD officers on Sept. 6 spoke with Burton, identified as the manager of the location, who allegedly admitted that "she tied a worker, who is neurodivergent, to a workstation," adding that "the incident was part of a TikTok trend."
The case was referred to Adult Protective Services before detectives with the Special Victims Unit took over and obtained a warrant for Burton's arrest. She was taken into custody on Sept. 17.
The incident had already drawn attention after video surfaced showing the employee restrained with trash bags and tied to kitchen equipment.
Another employee at the restaurant filmed portions of the incident after seeing his co-worker tied up, according to a report from Nashville NBC affiliate WSMV.
That employee, Nicholus Murphy, spoke to the station about what he witnessed. He said Burton told him she needed the victim to "stay put" while she handled other work in the back of the restaurant, adding that "she didn't want to babysit him."
"I actually felt sad for him," Murphy said. "I actually wanted to cry."
Murphy also pushed back against Burton's claim that her actions had anything to do with an online trend.
"If there was a TikTok trend, then where's the TikTok?" Murphy continued.
Police reportedly spoke with the employee, who told officers he was not upset and had not been injured. No charges were filed at that point, but the employee's family pushed for the investigation to be reopened.
The restaurant also took action, with an area manager describing the incident as "unacceptable" during a recorded meeting with employees. The area manager also confirmed to WSMV that Burton had been fired from her position as manager of the location.
Isaac Kimes, an attorney for the employee's family, said his clients are considering legal action.
"This has been an awful, traumatic event," Kimes told WSMV. "The young man in the video seen now by millions is not doing well."
Wendy's of Bowling Green, the franchisee that owns and operates this restaurant, released the following statement:
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.
Burton was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and released after posting a $2,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on Oct. 22.