A shocking incident took place at Meijer, sparking outrage across social media after bodycam footage revealed the arrest of a teenage disabled employee named James Denison, find out more below
The video was originally filmed in March 2024 and released this year, showcasing the young teenager being handcuffed for eating food at work.
Boycott Meijer trends on Twitter/X after disabled worker James Denison is accused of stealing by manager Joseph in Ohio store
BREAKING – Americans are calling for a boycott of the retailer Meijer after bodycam footage revealed the $15 billion corporation had a 16-year-old disabled deli worker named James arrested for taking just $110 in food over three months to get through his shifts.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/Zh7MPP6Fj6
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) August 19, 2025
Denison reportedly admitted to consuming items worth about $110 over three months, but the clip has triggered online backlash at Meijer for involving the police over a minor issue.
James Denison arrested for stealing food from Meijer
Authorities arrested a young teenager named James Denison after his Meijer store manager accused him of stealing food during shifts. The incident took place in Seven Hills, Ohio, and according to the manager, Denison ate chicken and fruit cups from the deli worth over $110 across three months. Upon confrontation in March 2024, Denison did not deny the accusation, and bodycam footage shows him admitting to the crime while insisting that he intended to pay for the food eventually.
However, the police officer handcuffed him and placed him in the squad car before warning him not to say too much to avoid self-incrimination. Despite his age and reported disability, Meijer pressed charges and insisted that Denison deliberately committed theft on numerous occasions. The store’s spokesperson later defended the decision, saying that the company acted only after total losses reached “hundreds of dollars.”
@meijer You need to terminate the employment of this manager immediately for what he did to that disabled employee having him arrested for eating fruit cups literally out of the throw away bin. pic.twitter.com/gQjpR3S5jH
— Ryan (@Noisebox_IT) August 19, 2025
Reactions from Netizens
Ever since the footage surfaced online in March 2025, it spread quickly across social media platforms. Several outraged netizens have accused Meijer of being unnecessarily harsh toward a teenager, especially one with a disability. One X user noted:
As a former employer myself, no way I would’ve had the kid arrested. Could’ve just fired him and called it a day. I f***ing hate people sometimes.”
Another user posted:
Arrested for $110? What the f***? Yo f*** @Meijer y’all suck.”
The video clips of the incident have started circulating online with over 60,000 likes. Along with the posts, #BoycottMeijer started trending, with many posts defending Denison and calling for boycotts against the supermarket chain.
🚨 New bodycam footage shows a 16-year-old deli worker at Meijer reportedly disabled, ARRESTED over $110 in fruit cups and chicken taken across three months just to get through his shifts.
A $15 BILLION corporation didn’t show compassion. They built a case. They dragged a… pic.twitter.com/iPWqoCG8Zl
— Desiree (@DesireeAmerica4) August 19, 2025
GoFundMe page
Kerry Campbell, who is a nurse from Tallahassee, Florida, launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the legal fees, food, transportation, and living expenses for James Denison. Campbell explained that James had no car and often walked to work and tried to live independently despite his challenges.
According to the fundraiser’s description:
James is a special needs teenager that was arrested by Seven Hills police for eating food items at his workplace that were unpaid. Fruit cups, to be exact. James walks to and from work and tries his best to make a life for himself… as a nurse, this disgusts me.”
As of now, the campaign has managed to raise over $16,500 out of its $26,000 goal.
James Denison biography
James Denison is a 16-year-old resident of Seven Hills, Ohio, who worked as a part-time worker at Meijer. According to reports, he is a special needs teenager who relied on walking to and from work. Prior to his arrest, Denison was striving for independence, but colleagues alleged that managers often criticized him for taking long breaks. While James’ story has drawn national attention, sparking all kinds of debates, there is hardly any information available about him and his personal background online.
Dear @meijer
I’ve recently become aware of an incident involving a young man, James, previously in your employ.
There has been speculation this young man has a disability. That withstanding, I must question your approach to this matter.
Yes, theft does affect a bottom… pic.twitter.com/M3No3qqM61
— Carissa (@njoyzgrl81) August 19, 2025
