Subway Manager Allegedly Locked 10-Year-Old Girl in a Room and Berated Her After She Walked Across Floor He Just Mopped

A Subway manager in Jacksonville, Florida, has been arrested after allegedly locking a 10-year-old girl in a room and berating her for stepping on a freshly mopped section of the restaurant.

According to an arrest report cited by Law & Crime and Action News Jax, the incident happened on July 21 at a Subway location on Argyle Forest Boulevard. The manager, 33-year-old James Anthony Morris Jr., now faces a felony charge of false imprisonment of a child under the age of 13.

Police say the girl entered the restaurant with her mother and accidentally walked across a wet floor Morris had just cleaned. When her mother asked her to apologize, Morris allegedly grabbed the girl by the hand and led her to the back of the store, locking her in a room.

Initially thinking the manager was joking, the girl’s mother quickly became alarmed when she couldn’t open the door. When she tried to intervene, Morris allegedly pushed the door closed, prompting a struggle. The mother reportedly called for help and eventually forced the door open to free her daughter.

Another employee told police he heard the commotion and saw Morris pull the girl away. He described the manager’s behavior as “weird,” according to the arrest report.

Authorities estimate the girl was locked in the room for approximately two minutes. During that time, she told police, Morris gripped her hand tightly and insulted her parents, calling them “trash and terrible people.” The girl said she feared she was being kidnapped but confirmed Morris made no sexual advances.

The child and her family told police they had never seen Morris before the incident.

Morris was arrested on the same day but did not speak to officers. He was later released on bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 13.

Subway has not commented on the matter as of Saturday, July 26. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office also declined to respond to requests for comment.