A former Wendy’s manager in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been charged after, according to police, admitting she tied a neurodivergent co-worker to kitchen equipment and claimed it was part of a TikTok trend. Murfreesboro police said the case advanced after a colleague’s video of the bound worker surfaced.
Charges and admission, per police
Murfreesboro police identified the former manager as 19-year-old Michiko Burton. According to police, Burton admitted earlier this month that she tied the worker to a workstation and “wrapped garbage bags around his leg and tied him to a grill.” Police said Burton was initially not arrested because the co-worker was not injured.
Burton was later charged with simple assault and false imprisonment, both misdemeanors that together could carry up to a year in jail, according to the source material.
Video sparked the probe
Police said the incident was referred to Adult Protective Services and investigated by detectives with the Special Victims Unit. “The investigation led to warrants being obtained for Burton’s arrest,” Murfreesboro police stated.
Wendy’s response
An area manager for Wendy’s called Burton’s actions “unacceptable” and confirmed she was fired. “That is why Michi is not here anymore,” the area manager said. “Michi is no longer a manager for us.”
Colleague challenges ‘TikTok trend’ claim
Nicholus Murphy, the co-worker who recorded the video, questioned Burton’s explanation. “If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Murphy said. He added, “They deserve justice. He deserves a person here having his back. Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do.”
Context
According to the Neurodiversity Directory, about 20 percent of the world’s population is neurodivergent, a term that can include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.
