A Tennessee Wendy’s restaurant manager has been arrested after admitting to cops she tied her neurodivergent co-worker to a kitchen grill – and bizarrely claimed it was part of a TikTok stunt.
Michiko Burton, 19, now faces up to a year in jail after she was charged Thursday over her bid for views.
Initially Burton, who has since been fired from her role at the Murfreesboro fast food restaurant, wasn’t arrested as the neurodivergent worker wasn’t injured – despite allegedly wrapping garbage bags around his leg and tying him to a grill.
But a troubling video, which was recorded by a colleague, that showed the worker bound emerged and police investigated further.
Burton was quizzed earlier this month and claimed “the incident was part of a TikTok trend, and she tied a worker, who is neurodivergent, to a workstation,” Murfreesboro police said.
“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 has since been charged with simple assault and false imprisonment – a misdemeanor offense which can carry up to a year in jail.
Wendy’s chiefs were left outraged by the video.
The chain’s area manager branded her actions “unacceptable.”
“That is why Michi is not here anymore,” the area manager said. “Michi is no longer a manager for us.”
Burton’s now former colleague also questioned her motive — despite what she told police.
“If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Nicholus Murphy, who recorded the troubling video, said.
Murphy said he felt a duty to speak up for his co-worker.
“They deserve justice,” he said. “He deserves a person here having his back.”
“Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do.”
About 20 percent of the world’s population is neurodivergent, with the designation being used as an umbrella term encompassing ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia, among others, according to the Neurodiversity Directory.
