McDonald's Manager Cleared in Taiwan Suicide Case Amid Scrutiny

Insufficient Evidence Leads to Dismissal in the High-Profile Sexual Assault Allegations

Taipei, Taiwan – April 7 – A recent announcement by Taipei prosecutors revealed the dismissal of charges against a former McDonald's manager accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old employee, who later tragically took her own life in November of the previous year.

The Shilin District Prosecutors Office concluded that the investigation yielded insufficient evidence to proceed with an indictment. This decision followed a thorough investigation, including interviews with the complainant, her representative, and the suspect. Investigators also examined documentary evidence provided by McDonald's.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, involving allegations of sexual assault, the prosecutor's office stated that further details could not be released at this time.

The case, initially handled by the police, was transferred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office in May of the previous year. It was then assigned to specialists in women and children's cases.

Public attention was drawn to the case after the girl's mother shared her story on the social media platform Threads in December 2024. She stated that her daughter's suicide was a result of a year-long period of sexual assault by her supervisor at McDonald's. The post garnered significant engagement, with over 600 comments and approximately 1,700 reposts within a short timeframe, subsequently capturing the attention of the Taiwanese media.

In December, Taipei's Department of Labor imposed a fine of NT$1 million (approximately US$30,535) on McDonald's for violating Article 13-2 of the Gender Equality in Employment Act. This fine represents the maximum penalty for failing to take "immediate and effective corrective and remedial measures" when the employer becomes aware of a sexual harassment situation, as stipulated by the act.

In January, McDonald's issued a public apology, acknowledging a failure to take preventative measures and a lack of timely and comprehensive handling of the situation. The company also confirmed that the manager was dismissed in May 2024, following the sexual harassment complaint filed in March of that year.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts in Taiwan, please call the 1925, 1995 or 1980 hotlines for help.