Subway Manager Faces Charges for Allegedly Locking 10-Year-Old in Room
By Olivia Green
A Subway manager in Jacksonville, Florida, has been accused of locking a 10-year-old girl in a room after she inadvertently walked on a freshly mopped floor. James Anthony Morris Jr., 33, faced an arrest after the incident which occurred on July 21.
According to reports, the young girl and her mother visited the Subway location on Argyle Forest Boulevard near Old Middleburg Road. It was at this time that the girl walked on an area of the floor that Morris had just finished mopping. Following this, the mother requested her daughter to apologise for the unintentional act.
Morris allegedly responded by grabbing the girl and escorting her to the back of the restaurant where he proceeded to lock her in a room. Initially, the mother thought it was a light-hearted gesture, but as the situation escalated, she grew concerned and attempted to open the door. However, Morris allegedly prevented her from doing so, leading to a struggle.
With the assistance of another employee at the premises, the mother was able to free her daughter. The colleague mentioned observing Morris pulling the girl and the ensuing commotion, describing the manager’s behaviour as “weird”.
The girl, who was confined for roughly two minutes, expressed to the police the fear she experienced during the incident. She recalled Morris tightly gripping her hand and making derogatory remarks about her parents, causing her distress and anxiety.
Morris, who remained silent during the arrest, was charged with false imprisonment of a child under 13 years old. He was subsequently booked into jail but later released on bond. The court date for Morris has been set for August 13.
The Subway establishment and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office have not yet provided comments on the incident. The young girl did not report any inappropriate behaviour from Morris beyond the verbal abuse she endured during the confinement.
Incidents like these serve as a reminder of the responsibility businesses have in ensuring the safety and well-being of their patrons, especially children. It is critical for establishments to have proper protocols in place to address such situations and prevent them from occurring in the future.
As the case unfolds, it raises questions about the training and supervision of employees in customer-facing roles. The emotional impact on the young girl and her family is significant, highlighting the need for accountability and measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The community response to this incident will likely call for transparency from Subway management and legal authorities regarding the actions taken against Morris. Ensuring justice and accountability for the manager’s alleged actions is crucial in upholding the safety and dignity of all customers, regardless of their age.
As the legal proceedings progress, it is important for businesses to address any lapses in employee conduct and safety protocols to prevent such distressing incidents from occurring in the future. The well-being and protection of customers, especially vulnerable individuals like children, should remain a top priority for all businesses in the service industry.