Amanda Hendricks, a former manager at an Arby’s in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged after police say surveillance video showed her spitting into sandwiches prepared for a customer — a case now described as Arby’s manager charged with felony poisoning.
Broken Bow police opened the investigation after a coworker reported suspicious conduct. Local reporting says an affidavit and video evidence were central to the charge. Police cited surveillance in an affidavit.
Arby’s manager charged with felony poisoning: what police say
According to court records cited by local outlets, investigators obtained surveillance footage from the restaurant and concluded the video showed Hendricks lowering her head and saliva falling onto sandwich ingredients prepared for customer Jennica Church.
The probe began after a coworker reported that a staff member had allegedly spat into a customer order, court records show. Local reporting identifies Amanda Hendricks as the employee named in that investigation.
Authorities say the surveillance evidence and the witness report formed the basis for an arrest and a charge of felony poisoning with intent to injure. The affidavit cited by KXII and KJRH is described in their coverage; Fox News also summarized the developments.
Civil lawsuit and the HSV-1 claim
Church filed a civil suit that names Hendricks and the restaurant operators. The complaint alleges Hendricks was experiencing a visible herpes outbreak while working and that restaurant operators allowed her to remain on duty despite the symptoms.
The lawsuit alleges Church developed a lesion on her lip after eating one of the sandwiches and later tested positive for HSV-1. Those details are presented in the civil complaint and reported by local outlets; they are allegations in a lawsuit and have not been independently verified as medical findings in public court records.
Church told a local station she had a brief prior acquaintance with Hendricks but nothing significant. “I love Arby’s — not anymore,” Church said in an interview published by KJRH.
Legal status and custody details
Hendricks has been charged with felony poisoning, according to court records referenced in local coverage. She is being held at the McCurtain County Jail, KXII reported.
The criminal charge is an allegation at this stage. Court records available through local reporting form the public record; no conviction has been reported. The criminal case and the civil lawsuit are separate legal actions that may proceed on different timelines.
Arby’s corporate representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Fox News reported. The civil complaint names the restaurant’s operators, alleging they allowed a symptomatic employee to work and thereby exposed customers.
Public health context and food safety takeaways
Health experts generally note that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) commonly spreads through direct contact with infected saliva or active sores. Transmission via handled food is not commonly documented and proving such transmission requires clinical testing and epidemiological links.
Medical confirmation that a particular exposure caused an infection depends on laboratory testing, timing of symptoms, and expert analysis — none of which is established as a court determination in this case. The HSV-1 claim here is described in the civil complaint as an allegation by the plaintiff.
Beyond infectious disease risk, deliberate food tampering is a criminal concern. Consumers who suspect contamination are advised to stop eating the food, preserve any remaining items if possible, document the item and where it was purchased, and report the incident to local health authorities and law enforcement so containers, packaging or surveillance can be reviewed.
Restaurants generally rely on employee health policies, visible symptom screening, and strict food-handling controls to protect patrons. The civil suit alleges those safeguards were not followed in this instance; that allegation will be evaluated in court.
What comes next
In the criminal matter, prosecutors must present evidence and the defendant will have the opportunity to respond through counsel. If prosecutors pursue the case, it could move through arraignment, pretrial hearings and possibly a trial if not otherwise resolved.
The civil suit may seek damages for alleged medical issues and emotional distress; civil outcomes can include dismissal, settlement, or judgment after a hearing or trial. Defense counsel may contest interpretations of the surveillance footage and the connection between any alleged conduct and a claimed medical diagnosis.
Local reports indicate investigators relied heavily on surveillance footage; the interpretation of that video is likely to be central in both criminal and civil proceedings. Readers interested in next steps should watch for filings in McCurtain County court records and statements from local prosecutors or attorneys for the parties.
Source attribution and local coverage
This article is based on reporting by Fox News and local Oklahoma outlets KXII and KJRH, which cited the affidavit and court records. Local coverage of the arrest and lawsuit has provided on-the-ground reporting and interviews with the plaintiff.
