Former Arby’s manager faces felony charge after allegedly spitting in customer’s sandwich
A former restaurant manager in Oklahoma is facing serious criminal charges after surveillance footage allegedly captured her spitting into a customer’s food order. Amanda Hendricks, who worked at an Arby’s location in Broken Bow, was charged with felony poisoning with intent to injure following an investigation into a March incident. The customer, Jennica Church, subsequently filed a civil lawsuit claiming the contaminated meal led to a herpes infection. Police obtained video evidence from the establishment that reportedly shows the manager deliberately contaminating sandwiches during food preparation.
The case has drawn attention to food safety protocols and employee conduct in fast-food establishments. Church told local media she had been a regular customer at the restaurant but would never return after the alleged incident.
Customer reports unusual delay before receiving contaminated order
Church stopped at the Arby’s restaurant after finishing a late bartending shift in March. She noticed her order was taking considerably longer than expected and initially assumed staff members were upset because the restaurant was nearing closing time. According to her account, she had minimal prior interaction with Hendricks and nothing that would suggest significant conflict between them.
After receiving her order, Church consumed one sandwich while leaving the parking lot. She brought the remaining food home, where it was shared with her husband and a relative receiving hospice care. The customer later developed a lesion on her lip and tested positive for HSV-1, the virus that causes oral herpes.
Surveillance video leads to criminal investigation and charges
The investigation began after another Arby’s employee came forward with information alleging a co-worker had spat into a customer’s order. Broken Bow police requested and obtained surveillance footage from the restaurant to examine the claims. According to court documents cited by local outlets, investigators concluded the video showed Hendricks spitting into food being prepared for Church.
An affidavit described the footage as showing Hendricks lowering her head toward sandwich ingredients before saliva fell onto the food items. The evidence gathered from the surveillance system formed the basis for the felony poisoning charge filed against the former manager. She is currently being held in McCurtain County Jail while the case proceeds through the legal system.
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Civil lawsuit alleges manager worked during active herpes outbreak
Church’s civil lawsuit goes beyond the criminal allegations to claim Hendricks knowingly worked while experiencing an active herpes outbreak. The legal filing alleges several key points:
- Hendricks had visible symptoms of a herpes outbreak while working.
- Restaurant operators allowed her to continue working despite the visible condition.
- The contaminated food directly resulted in Church contracting HSV-1.
- Both the employee and the restaurant failed in their duty to maintain food safety standards.
The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses, emotional distress, and other losses Church claims to have suffered as a result of the incident. The civil case names both Hendricks and the restaurant operators as defendants.
Food tampering cases raise concerns about restaurant safety protocols
This incident joins a growing number of food contamination cases involving restaurant employees across the United States. Similar situations have occurred at various fast-food chains, prompting discussions about employee screening, workplace culture, and surveillance systems in food service establishments. Health departments typically require food handlers to report certain contagious conditions and restrict work duties when ill.
Felony poisoning charges carry serious penalties, including potential prison time if convicted. The charge reflects prosecutors’ assessment that the alleged actions were intentional and posed a risk of injury to the victim. Church expressed her disappointment to media outlets, stating she had been a loyal customer of the chain but would never eat at Arby’s again after the alleged contamination.
The corporate parent company of Arby’s did not immediately provide comment on the incident or address questions about employee health policies and food safety protocols at franchise locations. The case remains under investigation as both criminal proceedings and civil litigation move forward through Oklahoma courts.
