Southbridge, Massachusetts — A former McDonald’s employee in Massachusetts is facing criminal charges after police say she intentionally contaminated French fries before allegedly serving them to her ex-girlfriend through a drive-thru window.
The disturbing allegations surfaced after investigators reviewed a viral video that reportedly showed the employee tampering with food while working inside the restaurant.
Viral Video Sparks Police Investigation
According to authorities, the investigation began on May 7 after Officer Hector Melendez learned about a video circulating online through the Southbridge First Facebook page.
Police said the footage, allegedly recorded from a Snapchat account, appeared to show 22-year-old Kaylie M. Santos inside the kitchen area of a Southbridge McDonald’s speaking directly to the camera.
“When your girlfriend wants french fries today right… she wants french fries today right,” Santos allegedly said before placing fries in her mouth and then back into a fry carton, according to investigators.
At the end of the video, another person can reportedly be heard saying, “dirty bitch.”
Authorities familiar with Santos from prior interactions said they immediately recognized her in the footage.
Surveillance Footage Allegedly Confirmed Incident
Detective Sgt. Evan Genkos later reviewed surveillance video from inside the restaurant alongside ownership and management officials.
According to police, restaurant staff spent more than 220 hours searching surveillance footage to locate the alleged incident.
Investigators say video from April 9, 2026, showed Santos — who reportedly worked as a night manager — preparing a drive-thru order with another employee.
Police allege Santos first appeared to spit into an empty fry carton before wiping her mouth while laughing with another employee. She then allegedly recorded a selfie video while placing fries into her mouth and transferring them into the same container before handing the order to a customer at the drive-thru window.
Authorities later traced the vehicle in the drive-thru lane to Haily Coburn, who confirmed she was the customer who received the fries that night.
Ex-Girlfriend Says She Had No Idea
According to investigators, Coburn told police she and Santos had dated for approximately two years before ending their relationship in October 2024.
Coburn alleged Santos had continued harassing her and her new partner after learning she was in another relationship.
Police said Coburn told investigators she originally only ordered two Dr Pepper drinks during the visit but unexpectedly received fries as well. She reportedly ate the fries without suspecting anything unusual.
“Haily stated it wasn’t until she saw the Snapchat video online of what Santos did to the fries she had handed to her,” Genkos wrote in the report.
Authorities said Coburn later decided to pursue criminal charges after learning about the alleged contamination.
Former Employee Faces Felony Charge
Police noted that investigators believe the alleged act specifically targeted Coburn and that no other customers were impacted.
Santos has now been charged with distributing food with a harmful substance and is scheduled to be arraigned on June 5 in Dudley District Court.
A no-trespass order was also issued against Santos and officially served on May 12, according to police records.
McDonald’s Owners Respond to Incident
Following the investigation, the Southbridge Police Department confirmed the case had concluded and praised the cooperation provided by the restaurant’s ownership and management team.
“The Southbridge Police Department would also like to acknowledge the exceptional cooperation provided by the ownership and management of the Southbridge McDonald’s throughout the course of this investigation,” the department stated. “Their assistance and professionalism were instrumental in bringing this matter to a conclusion.”
The Sellia Group, which owns the Southbridge McDonald’s location, said the employees involved were immediately suspended and later terminated after an internal review.
“The actions of these individuals are unacceptable and do not reflect our organization’s food safety standards or values,” the owners said in a statement.
The company also emphasized that health officials found no broader public health concerns or violations connected to the incident.
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