Former Wendy’s Manager Arrested in Tennessee Over Alleged Employee Restraint Incident

Champaign Urbana & Springfield Decatur, IL, September 21, 2026 —

A 19-year-old former manager at a Wendy’s location in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been arrested and faces charges related to the alleged restraint of an employee. The individual was taken into custody and charged with simple assault and false imprisonment.

According to reports, the alleged incident involved tying a neurodivergent employee to a grill. The former manager reportedly stated to police that the action was undertaken as part of a trend observed on the social media platform TikTok.

The specific date of the incident and the arrest was not immediately provided. Further details regarding the condition of the neurodivergent employee following the alleged incident were also not disclosed.

Authorities in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, have confirmed the arrest and the charges filed against the 19-year-old former employee. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged act is ongoing. Information regarding the specific TikTok trend cited by the former manager has not been publicly detailed.

The charges of simple assault and false imprisonment indicate potential legal proceedings against the former manager. The details of any potential fines or further legal actions are pending.

This incident highlights concerns regarding workplace safety and the potential influence of social media trends on behavior. The extent of any policy violations by the former manager or the restaurant company is not detailed in the provided information.

The identity of the former manager has not been released, nor have the specific details concerning the identity of the neurodivergent employee who was allegedly restrained. The case remains under review by local law enforcement officials in Tennessee.

Story summarized from the original created by Jeremy Finley on www.wandtv.com, see more information here.

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