Contamination Charges Against Oklahoma Arby’s Manager
A manager from an Arby’s in Oklahoma is facing felony charges after a customer claimed to have contracted herpes from food that was allegedly contaminated by an employee’s saliva.
Amanda Hendricks, the former manager at a Broken Bow Arby’s, is accused of spitting on a customer’s order during a late-night visit on March 28. This incident was reported by Jennika Church, who later filed a lawsuit claiming she contracted HSV-1, often referred to as herpes.
“I used to love Arby’s, but now, not so much,” Church shared with Scripps News Group.
Church’s legal action follows an investigation triggered when another employee reported the spitting incident. Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the restaurant, which revealed Hendricks handling the meat for a sandwich before lowering his head toward the food, with saliva apparently dripping onto it.
After finishing her shift as a bartender, Church had visited the drive-thru and bought a meal. “It took some time for me to catch on. I figured they were just frustrated since it was almost closing time,” she recalled.
Following the investigation, authorities arranged to interview Hendricks and subsequently sought a warrant, charging her with felony poisoning with intent to harm.
The repercussions of this incident extended beyond Church herself. Patricia Dollarhite, Church’s mother-in-law, expressed concern for family members who had shared food with her. “I was uncomfortable when my son wanted to kiss me. It’s made things tense,” she explained to KJRH.
The lawsuit targets not just Hendricks but also Arby’s and its affiliated companies. Church’s family asserts that her symptoms began after this incident, leading to her diagnosis with HSV-1.
Herpes is a commonly undiagnosed condition. While HSV-1 is often linked to oral herpes, it, along with HSV-2—which is typically associated with genital herpes—can affect both areas. The virus spreads mainly through direct contact with sores or saliva, and can even transmit without any visible symptoms, complicating the tracing of infections.
Currently, there’s no cure for herpes, nor do vaccines exist for HSV. Antiviral medications like acyclovir can help manage outbreaks but cannot fully eliminate the virus from the body.
The question remains whether the contamination indeed caused Church’s diagnosis. Local police, Church, and Hendricks were approached for comments regarding the situation.
