A McDonald's customer in Michigan is facing a potential jail sentence after an outburst of impatience led her to hurl hot coffee at a worker, an incident captured on video and resulting in a guilty plea to assault charges.
Incident Details and Video Evidence
Casharra Brown, 49, visited a McDonald's restaurant in Buena Vista Township, Michigan, in early November 2025. According to reports, she became embroiled in an argument with a female staff member over the wait time for her order, which included food and a coffee. A video recorded by another customer showed Brown yelling about waiting 'over an hour' for her items.
The employee alleged that Brown had left the restaurant after placing her order, a claim Brown denied. In an attempt to resolve the dispute, the staff offered a refund for the food within 48 hours and provided Brown with the coffee she had ordered.
Assault and Aftermath
In a fit of rage, Brown ripped the lid off the coffee and tossed the scalding hot liquid onto the employee as she walked away. The staffer was left screaming in pain, though it remains unclear how hot the coffee was, and no serious injuries were reported from the incident. Witnesses reported Brown shouting, 'F*** you, b****! Catch that hot a** coffee!' as she committed the act.
On November 4, the Buena Vista Police Department shared the video publicly and confirmed they had identified the suspect. By November 15, Brown was arraigned in Saginaw County Court, where she was granted bond under the condition that she would not visit any McDonald's restaurants.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
On Monday, Brown pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of assault and battery, as documented in court records. Now that she has entered a guilty plea, Brown must return to Michigan from her home state of Georgia for her sentencing, scheduled for March.
She faces a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a $500 fine, highlighting the serious consequences of such violent behavior in public settings.
Historical Context of McDonald's Coffee Controversies
This incident adds to a history of legal troubles involving McDonald's coffee. In 1994, the company was sued by Stella Liebeck, a then-79-year-old woman who suffered third-degree burns after accidentally spilling coffee on herself. Liebeck required skin grafts on her pelvic region and was permanently disfigured.
During the trial, it was revealed that McDonald's instructed franchisees to serve coffee at temperatures between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Following an out-of-court settlement, McDonald's implemented more secure lids on their coffee cups to prevent accidental spills, though this recent case involves intentional harm rather than an accident.
The broader implications of such incidents raise questions about customer behavior, workplace safety, and the ongoing challenges faced by fast-food employees in high-stress environments.
