McDonald's employee arrested for spitting

GREENVILLE, S.C., April 19 (UPI) -- A Greenville, S.C., McDonald's employee was arrested after two women found phlegm in their sweet tea, police say.

The arrest followed a complaint from a mother and daughter who came into the location Saturday and ordered two sweet teas. After realizing they received unsweetened tea, they returned them. After receiving unsweetened tea a second time, the two went home to add their own sugar. When they removed the lids, both noticed large globs of phlegm floating at the tops of their drinks.

Marvin Washington Jr., 19, was arrested and charged with unlawful and malicious tampering with food.

The arrest warrant cites security video footage showing Washington leaning his face over the cups prior to filling them with tea. WYFF-TV, Greenville, S.C., reported Washington is being held in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

John Kennedy, owner of the McDonald's location, released a statement assuring customers, "my restaurant has the most stringent food safety and quality standards and I caution anyone from reaching a conclusion without the facts." Kennedy deferred further questions to law enforcement.