Fast food workers arrested after girl finds ecstasy in burger
Employees at a fast-food outlet have been arrested after a family discovered an ecstasy pill in their four-year-old’s burger.
Sonic Drive-In manager Tanisha Dancer, 30, Jose Molina, 22, and Jonathan Roberson, 35, were arrested on Thursday after an 11-year-old found a little blue pill in a kids meal purchased from a restaurant in Taylor in the US state of Texas.
“The 11-year-old daughter was opening the hamburger for her four-year-old brother. It was a kids meal,” police chief Henry Fluck of the Taylor Police Department told CBS Austin.
“When she opened the wrapping, she noticed a pill. Being an 11-year-old, she asked her parents if this was candy.”
The family brought the meal to the police department, which identified the pill as the drug ecstasy (MDMA).
The drug causes brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin to rise, making people feel giddy, emotional, and energised.
Chief Fluck told CBS Austin that Ms Dancer had an outstanding warrant for violating parole and was carrying three pills of ecstasy that were the same type, size and had the same markings as the one found in the burger.
According to a press release sent to Yahoo Lifestyle from the Taylor Texas Police Department, Ms Dancer was first charged with Possession of Controlled Substance and later, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Endangering a Child.
Mr Roberson also had four outstanding warrants for theft, driving without a licence, failing to appear in court, and bond forfeiture. Mr Molina was arrested for marijuana possession.
“The Taylor Police Department is reviewing this case with the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office and additional charge(s) are pending,” the press release said.
“The investigation continues. With these arrests, the Taylor Police Department believes that there is no longer a risk to public safety.”
A Sonic representative sent a statement to Yahoo Lifestyle confirming a foreign substance was found in hamburger on December 6.
“The substance was discovered and removed. No guests were injured. The franchisee takes guest safety and food safety very seriously,” it said.
“Local police are investigating this incident, and the franchisee is cooperating with police in their investigation.
“The franchisee has terminated three employees in connection with this incident.”
