Jennica Church, a married mother from McCurtain County, Oklahoma, was picking up four roast beef sandwiches for $10 at an Arby's in Broken Bow when manager Amanda Hendricks allegedly decided to spit in her food as retaliation for arriving just before closing time, police say. The act allegedly gave Church herpes, according to investigators and the victim.
Background
Church told KJRH, a local NBC affiliate, that she had just gotten off work when she pulled into the Arby's drive-thru around closing time. She said she noticed it was taking longer than usual to get her food. "I thought they were mad at me because it was about to close," Church recalled.
According to Church, she and Hendricks knew each other because Broken Bow is a small town, but Church said there was no bad blood between them that she was aware of. After eating the sandwiches, Church experienced a flare-up on her lip and visited a doctor who diagnosed her with herpes. She later learned through word of mouth that Hendricks allegedly told people she had spit in Church's food that night.
Church contacted police, and investigators obtained surveillance footage from the Arby's location showing Hendricks spitting into Church's sandwiches at the drive-thru window. The video captures what appears to be saliva entering the food as Hendricks prepares the order, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Smoking Gun.
The Charges
Hendricks was arrested and charged with felony poisoning with intent to injure following the release of surveillance footage. An arrest affidavit describes the alleged act in detail: "Amanda is removing meat from the slicer," the document states. "Amanda has the meat in her hands and lifts it to neck level and leans her head down and you can see the saliva leave her mouth and go into the sandwich. Amanda continues making the other three [sandwiches] and sending out the order."
Church's family hired an attorney and filed a lawsuit against Hendricks, Arby's, and affiliated restaurant groups, according to KJRH. Church claims the incident has caused her extreme anxiety, emotional distress, and fear of infection that she fears will affect her work as a bartender.
Key Takeaways
- Amanda Hendricks was charged with felony poisoning with intent to injure after allegedly spitting in a customer's food at an Arby's in Broken Bow, Oklahoma
- Surveillance footage allegedly shows the manager introducing saliva into roast beef sandwiches ordered by Jennica Church, who was later diagnosed with herpes
- Church's father-in-law and grandmother-in-law also ate from the contaminated order, raising concerns about additional potential victims within her family
- The victim's mother-in-law told KJRH she cannot kiss her husband because he consumed the tainted food: "Because he hasn't had an outbreak, doesn't mean he doesn't have it."
- Church's family has filed a civil lawsuit against Hendricks, Arby's and affiliated restaurant groups seeking damages for emotional distress and health concerns
What's Next
Hendricks faces a felony poisoning charge that could carry significant prison time if convicted. The civil lawsuit against her, Arby's and the restaurant group's affiliates is expected to proceed as Church seeks compensation for medical costs, lost wages and emotional suffering. Arby's has not responded to requests for comment on the incident or the pending litigation.