Former fast-food manager charged for allegedly tying employee to grill

NewsA Wendy's sign stands outside of a location in Saginaw County's Thomas Township that closed in May 2026.The Saginaw NewsBy Brandon Champion | bchampio@mlive.comA former Wendy’s restaurant manager has been arrested after she allegedly tied a neurodivergent employee to a grill. According to the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Michiko Burton, 19, has been charged with simple assault and false imprisonment, which is a misdemeanor assault charge.Burton, who has been under investigation since early September, worked at a Wendy’s on South Church Street. Video showed the employee tied to his workstation. Neurodivergent describes an individual whose brain processes, learns, or functions differently from what society considers typical or “neurotypical”. Autism, ADHD and learning disabilities like dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (math), and dysgraphia (writing) are common conditions that fall in the area.Burton told police the stunt was part of a TikTok trend, but Nicholus Murphy, a co-worker who recorded the video questioned that motive. “I actually felt sad for him,” Murphy told WSMV-TV in Nashville. “I actually wanted to cry.”Murphy told the TV station that Burton told workers she needed the employee to “stay put” so she could do other work in the back of the restaurant.“If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?” Murphy 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.Burton was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $2,000 bond. A court date is set for Oct. 22 in General Sessions Court. Brandon Champion is a National Trending Reporter for Advance Local based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Focused on restaurants, food and retail as well as the outdoors including hunting, fishing and national parks....