A Slatedale man accused of throwing hot liquid at a Walnutport McDonald’s employee has been charged with disorderly conduct, along with other offenses.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Walnutport Police Chief Jason Nothstein, officers and Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services were dispatched at 8:19 a.m. Jan. 20 to the McDonald’s for a reported assault involving an employee who had hot tea thrown on her by a customer.

Nothstein arrived to find the employee walking in the lobby and holding a cloth undershirt against her left shoulder. She told police she had handed a cup of hot tea to a customer in the drive-thru and believed some liquid may have dripped on him, although she was not sure.

She said the customer, later identified as Floyd Santee, 80, removed the lid from the cup and threw the hot tea at her, spraying her left shoulder and chest area, as well as her right hand, according to the affidavit.

The duty manager spoke with Santee, who said the incident was an accident and that he was attempting to dump the contents onto the ground.

Nothstein said he did not observe any immediate burns or blisters on the victim. Paramedics evaluated her at the scene and noted some redness on her chest, but no discoloration, burns or blisters. The worker was advised to seek hospital treatment but refused transport.

Police later reviewed security camera footage from the drive-thru, which Nothstein said clearly showed Santee deliberately throwing the hot liquid at the employee before tossing the empty cup on the ground.

Nothstein posted a screenshot of the suspect’s face on the Walnutport Police Department’s Facebook page seeking identification. Shortly afterward, multiple callers identified the man as Santee, and a records check confirmed his identity.

That afternoon, McDonald’s staff told police that Santee had contacted the restaurant to explain his side of the incident and provided his phone number. Nothstein later spoke with Santee by phone, and Santee agreed to come to the Walnutport Police Department voluntarily.

Santee arrived at the station around 5 p.m. and told Nothstein that the tea bag was sitting on top of the lid when he received the cup. He said the tea bag fell off, causing hot water to spill on him, and he believed the cup was broken, prompting him to throw it out the window as a reaction. Santee said he would not deliberately throw hot water on anyone and described his actions as “stupid.”

Nothstein questioned Santee about why he removed the lid and threw the liquid out the window, shook the cup to ensure it was empty and then threw the cup to the ground if he believed it was broken. Santee again said it was “stupid” and that he acted out of reaction.

Santee faces charges of attempted simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 4 before District Judge Robert A. Hawke in Walnutport.