Cops: CT Woman Attacks Pregnant McDonald's Worker Over McChicken

NORWICH, CT—Shannelle Hanson admitted to police that she went behind the counter to make her own McChicken after McDonald’s workers failed to get it right, twice, according to a report. When confronted by the pregnant manager who asked “what are you going to do,” Hanson told police she didn’t know “who threw the first punch," court documents read.

Hanson, 21, of 121 Boswell Ave., Norwich, was charged with misdemeanor assault.

Norwich police were called on the evening of May 31 to the Town Road McDonald’s for a call of a female assaulting a manager. When cops arrived, customers said Hanson had left through side door. Police located her and placed her in a patrol car and then went to see what happened.

According to the police report obtained by Patch, Hanson was furious after she had requested the sandwich as part of her order, and asked that it be prepared “fresh,” and was told by employees that they had “messed it up” and she was asked to pull forward from the drive-thru and the new, fresh sandwich would be brought to her. She claims that 10 minutes later, a sandwich was brought to her car but contained no chicken patty. That’s when she stormed inside and allegedly assaulted the manager.

From the report by Patrol Officer Anthony Marceau, a witness told cops he and his family were eating when Hanson flew into the restaurant to say her order was wrong. She demanded a refund and was offered one. But then, “went behind the counter (and) began pushing the pregnant manager.” Police said people tried to “break them up,” and that Hanson also pushed a male employee before storing out. Police said cups were strewn on the floor, reportedly thrown there by Hanson.

The manager, who was 29 weeks pregnant, told police she was “not feeling well.” She said she was “slapped in the face and pushed by Hanson.” Police called an ambulance. The woman had several nails broken and one finger was bleeding. She told police “they broke as she was defending herself when Hanson came at her behind the counter.”

Police spoke to another worker, who police did not name as he is also considered a victim, who said “when he tried to break up his manager and Hanson, she slapped him in the face and pushed him.”

Hanson allegedly “continued to get in his face as he blocked her from going behind the counter after then got her into the lobby.”

This is the manager’s version of events:

At about 7:45 p.m., Hanson claimed she was given the wrong sandwich and wanted a refund. Which she was given. But then asked, “Aren't you going to make my food?” She was told no, since she was refunded. Hanson said she’d make it herself: “She then stated she was going to make the food herself and continued yelling at me. After not getting a reaction from me, she came behind the counter and approached me at the fry machine. She got into my face and slapped me. My coworkers separated us and she was continuing to try and fight me. She punched (another employee) in the process. Prior to coming behind the counter, my coworkers told her I was pregnant. After we were separated, she told me she had bail money and didn't care I was pregnant. She hoped I lost my child.”

This is Hanson's version:

"I arrived at McDonald's before 8 p.m. and ordered food. I asked the woman at the second window to make sure the chicken was fresh and was told they already messed the sandwich up and were remaking it. A few minutes go by and they ask me to pull up to wait. A white lady with blonde hair brought me my food 10 minutes later and I noticed there was nothing on the sandwich. I went inside and was told they messed up my sandwich again. I placed the sandwich on the counter and the manager asked if I wanted a refund. I said 'yea I want a refund for it' and was given a refund for the sandwich not the whole meal. I said 'is someone going to put the stuff on my sandwich' and was told, 'no, that's what a refund is for.' She was laughing at me the whole time and I asked what was funny. I then threw the money in her face. I stepped behind the counter, at first to make my own sandwich. The manager stepped to me and we were face to face behind the counter. She said 'what are you going to do' and I do not know who threw the first punch. "

Hanson was charged two misdemeanor counts: breach of peace and assaulting a pregnant person. She was released on a $5,000 bond at the police department. She's due to appear in Norwich Superior Court June 13.