A former Wendy’s manager in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been charged after admitting to police that she tied a neurodivergent co-worker to kitchen equipment, an incident she claimed was part of a TikTok trend.
Michiko Burton, 19, was charged Thursday with simple assault and false imprisonment, both misdemeanor offenses that together could carry up to a year in jail. She has already been fired from her job at the restaurant.
Police said Burton was not arrested right away because the co-worker was not injured, even though she allegedly wrapped garbage bags around his leg and tied him to a grill. It was only after a colleague’s video of the bound worker surfaced that investigators took a closer look.
When questioned by police earlier this month, Burton said the incident was part of a TikTok trend and confirmed she had tied the worker, who is neurodivergent, to a workstation, according to Murfreesboro police.
“The incident was referred to Adult Protective Services and investigated by detectives with the Special Victims Unit,” Murfreesboro police said. “The investigation led to warrants being obtained for Burton’s arrest.”
Wendy’s corporate leadership condemned Burton’s conduct. An area manager for the chain called her actions “unacceptable.”
“That is why Michi is not here anymore,” the area manager said. “Michi is no longer a manager for us.”
Nicholus Murphy, the colleague who recorded the video, said he doubted Burton’s explanation from the start.
“If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Murphy said.
Murphy said he felt he had no choice but to come forward on behalf of 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.”
According to the Neurodiversity Directory, about 20 percent of the world’s population is neurodivergent, a term that covers conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
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