HUEYTOWN, Ala. — A manager at the Wendy’s restaurant in Hueytown is facing criminal charges after locking a group of teens inside the fast-food outlet, sparking outrage and raising questions about employee conduct and customer safety.
On October 16, the manager reportedly accused a juvenile of using counterfeit money to pay for a meal. According to Hueytown Police, officers responded to a report of fake money being used and spoke with both the juvenile who made the purchase and the manager who alleged the money was fraudulent. Police released the juveniles pending further investigation.
The following day, parents of the teens filed a police report for false imprisonment, stating the manager locked the group in the restaurant until authorities arrived. After investigating, police determined the $50 bill used by the teen was authentic.
The manager, whose identity has not been disclosed, turned herself in and now faces three counts of unlawful imprisonment and one count of harassment, with total bond set at $2,000. Police records confirm no injuries occurred, but parents have called for disciplinary action and better training after what they termed a deeply disturbing ordeal.
ABC 33/40 reached out to Wendy’s for comment, but the company has yet to release a public statement regarding the manager’s employment status or any further disciplinary measures.
The incident has raised concerns among local residents about how similar situations might be handled in the future and whether teens are safe in public establishments after hours.
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