JACKSONVILLE, FL – A Jacksonville man who managed a local Subway restaurant was arrested Monday after allegedly detaining a 10-year-old girl in a back room, authorities said.

James Anthony Morris Jr., 33, faces one count of false imprisonment after the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a disturbance at the sandwich shop. According to the police report, the incident unfolded when the girl, accompanied by her mother, walked across a freshly mopped floor inside the store. The mother instructed her daughter to apologize to Morris, who was cleaning the area at the time.

Authorities allege that Morris then took the girl by the hand and led her into a room at the back of the restaurant. Once inside, police say Morris locked or held the door closed with the girl inside, causing her mother to react with alarm. The report notes that while the girl’s mother initially believed Morris might be playing a prank, her concern grew when she was unable to open the door.

As the confrontation escalated, investigators say the mother struggled with Morris and shouted for help. Eventually, she managed to force the door open and retrieve her daughter. Another Subway employee who was present at the location told officers he heard the commotion and saw Morris pull the girl away. The coworker reported that Morris’ behavior seemed unusual and that he feared for the girl’s safety.

Police said the girl recounted feeling frightened during the episode and thought she might be kidnapped. She told detectives that Morris tightened his grip on her hand and made disparaging comments about her parents. However, the girl reported that there were no inappropriate sexual advances during the encounter.

Law enforcement officials believe the girl was held in the room for approximately two minutes before her mother was able to get to her. The responding officer documented the physical and emotional distress of the child and her mother at the scene.

After being read his rights, Morris declined to provide a statement to police, invoking his right to remain silent. He was booked on the charge of false imprisonment of a minor under the age of 13, a serious felony in Florida.

Morris was released from jail on a $5,000 bond pending further court proceedings. He is scheduled to appear in court again on August 13. There were no reports of additional injuries or arrests related to the incident.