Full Breakdown
Arby's Manager Charged with Felony Poisoning After Alleged Spitting Incident in Oklahoma
6/25/2026, 2:49:26 AM
Alleged Spitting Incident at Arby's Drive-Through
On March 28, 2026, at an Arby's drive-through in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, manager Amanda Hendricks allegedly spat into a sandwich prepared for customer Jennica Church. Police footage shows Hendricks lowering her head toward the meat while operating a slicer, with saliva visible on the sandwich. Church ate part of the sandwich at the drive-through and later gave the remaining portions to her husband and her mother-in-law, who was receiving hospice care.
Timeline of Events
- March 28, 2026 – Incident occurs; Church orders a sandwich at the Arby's drive-through.
- Later March 2026 – Church develops a lip lesion and subsequently tests positive for HSV-1.
- Date unspecified – An Arby's employee reports the alleged spitting; police open an investigation.
- June 23, 2026 (Sunday) – Amanda Hendricks is arrested and booked on a felony poisoning charge (reported June 24, 2026).
- June 2026 – A civil lawsuit is filed against Arby's alleging negligence and transmission of herpes.
Legal Charges and Civil Claims
Hendricks faces a felony charge of poisoning with intent to injure under Oklahoma law. The civil suit alleges that Arby's permitted her to work despite visible herpes lesions, exposing the customer and her family to HSV-1. The complaint emphasizes the plaintiff’s ongoing fear of transmitting the virus to her husband or children.
Public Health Impact
The case raises concerns about food-handling safety when employees have contagious conditions. The plaintiff’s claim of constant fear of infecting family members highlights broader public-health implications for fast-food outlets.
Official Law Enforcement Statements
Police statements note that surveillance footage captured Hendricks handling sandwich meat while spitting, supporting the allegation of intentional contamination. Authorities have not provided further comment on evidentiary matters.
Criticism of Restaurant Practices
The lawsuit criticizes Arby's for allegedly neglecting health-safety protocols by allowing an employee with an active herpes outbreak to perform food-handling duties. No response from Arby's corporate officials is included in the source material.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources do not contain medical confirmation that the sandwich was the definitive source of Church’s HSV-1 infection, nor do they detail the outcome of the criminal investigation beyond the arrest. The extent of any additional exposure to the husband or mother-in-law remains unspecified.
Verbatim Quote
> “The victim now lives in constant fear that she will transmit herpes to her husband or their children.” — *Plaintiff’s lawsuit*
> “active herpes outbreak with visible lesions.” — *Plaintiff’s lawsuit*
Future Legal Proceedings
The criminal case against Hendricks is pending in McCurtain County court, while the civil lawsuit proceeds against Arby's. Both matters are expected to advance through the Oklahoma judicial system in the coming months.
