An Oklahoma fast-food manager is facing felony charges and a civil lawsuit after a customer alleges she intentionally spat into a drive-thru order, an act the family claims led to a herpes diagnosis and long-term health concerns, according to court filings and local reports.
The incident allegedly occurred in March at an Arby’s location in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, where Jennica Church ordered roast beef sandwiches after finishing a late work shift.
According to investigators and a civil complaint, Church picked up the order through the drive-thru and later shared it with family members at home.
Court documents and police reports allege that shift manager Amanda Hendricks became upset over the timing of the order near closing and retaliated during food preparation.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Hendricks handling sandwich components before leaning toward the food and expelling saliva onto the meal while assembling the order.
Church told KJRH that she initially thought employees were simply frustrated by the late order but later began experiencing symptoms after eating part of the food.
She later sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1, according to court filings referenced in multiple reports.
Authorities say surveillance video obtained from the restaurant was a key piece of evidence in the case.
Law enforcement in Broken Bow arrested Hendricks on a felony charge of food poisoning or tampering with intent to injure after reviewing the footage and statements gathered during the investigation, FOX 7 reported.
The civil lawsuit filed by Church and her family alleges that Hendricks was aware she had an active herpes infection at the time of the incident and understood the risk of transmission through saliva.
The complaint further claims that multiple family members consumed portions of the sandwiches, leading to widespread fear of infection and emotional distress within the household.
Family members told local outlets that several relatives ate from the same order, including older relatives with heightened health concerns.
One family member described ongoing anxiety about potential exposure, even in the absence of visible symptoms.
Church’s attorney has also alleged that Hendricks later made statements acknowledging she spat in the food, which helped prompt law enforcement involvement.
The lawsuit additionally accuses the franchise operator of failing to adequately address the complaint when it was first raised, including allegedly dismissing early concerns after internal review.
Arby’s corporate representatives have not issued a detailed public response to the allegations.
The franchise owner is also named as a defendant in the civil case, which seeks damages for medical costs, emotional distress, and long-term health impacts claimed by the family, according to People.
In court proceedings and media interviews, Church said the incident has left her with lasting anxiety about eating in restaurants and interacting with food service environments.
She also expressed concern about how the diagnosis could affect her work in a customer-facing job.
If convicted, Hendericks could face significant prison time under Oklahoma law. The case remains ongoing as both criminal and civil proceedings continue.
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