Memphis, Tennessee — A 19-year-old Taco Bell employee has been charged with aggravated assault after police say a workplace disagreement escalated into a violent confrontation in which she allegedly threw boiling water on a co-worker, leaving him with second-degree burns.
According to the Memphis Police Department, the incident occurred on July 18 at a Taco Bell restaurant in Memphis. Authorities later arrested Malayla Henderson, 19, on July 19 in connection with the alleged assault.
Police Say Workplace Dispute Escalated Quickly
Officers responded to the restaurant shortly after 5 p.m. following reports of an armed person.
When police arrived, they learned that a male employee had already been transported to a local burn center for treatment.
Investigators later interviewed the injured employee at the hospital, where he alleged that Henderson had thrown a pot of boiling water onto his lap during an argument inside the restaurant.
According to police, surveillance video reviewed during the investigation appeared to show Henderson throwing the boiling water at the victim.
Authorities said the employee suffered second-degree burns as a result of the incident.
Argument Reportedly Began Over an iPad
Police said the male employee was not scheduled to work that day and had been visiting the restaurant while Henderson was working her shift.
Investigators said the two employees had been engaged in what was described as “playful banter” before the situation escalated.
According to the Memphis Police Department, the victim told officers Henderson had playfully taken one of his shirts, prompting him to pick up her iPad from near a cash register.
Police said he then placed the iPad near a trash can inside the restaurant.
Authorities allege Henderson became upset and threatened to burn him with hot water before retrieving a pot of boiling water from the kitchen.
Investigators say she then threw the boiling water at the man while he was seated in the restaurant lobby.
Henderson Gives Her Version of Events
In a phone interview with WMC, Henderson claimed the co-worker had been bothering her throughout the day.
She alleged that he repeatedly entered her personal space and made comments she considered inappropriate despite her asking him to stop.
“He kept getting mad that day… he kept just saying a whole bunch of inappropriate things that I did not like. He kept coming into my personal space; I kept telling him, ‘Can you get back?’ ”
Henderson said the situation escalated after the co-worker took her iPad.
“Before you know it, I had blanked out after asking him many times to give me my iPad, right?” Henderson told WMC. “Before you know it, once I blanked out, I was just pouring water on him.”
Case Continues Through the Court System
Henderson was arrested on an aggravated assault charge and later released from jail on July 22 after posting a $5,000 bond, according to court records.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 27.
The allegations remain part of an ongoing criminal case, and the charges have not been adjudicated in court.
What are your thoughts on workplace conflicts escalating into violence? What steps do you think employers should take to prevent incidents like this? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
