Georgia Restaurant Manager Arrested for Kidnapping and Rape of Teenage Employee

Daniel Barrios Catalan, 46, the co-owner and manager of Latin Flavors in Winder, was arrested on March 7 for allegedly kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old female employee

A restaurant manager in Georgia has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old female employee.

Daniel Barrios Catalan, 46, co-owner and manager of Latin Flavors in Winder, was taken into custody on March 7. Authorities allege that after the teenager’s shift on March 1, Catalan provided her with alcohol and escorted her to a private area of the restaurant.

According to the Winder Police Department, the victim became heavily impaired and eventually lost consciousness. In the early hours of the morning, Catalan allegedly drove her to his home.

He allegedly provided the staffer with alcohol following her shift and then escorted her to a private area on March 1. Catalan then drove her home to his home early the next morning

The investigation began when a mandated reporter at a local hospital notified police after the victim sought treatment.

Latin Flavors addressed the incident on March 27, distancing itself from Catalan. The restaurant released a statement condemning violence and asserting that Catalan "does not belong to Latin Flavors."

Catalan has been charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of rape. He was booked into Barrow County Jail. Authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing and will be turned over to the Barrow County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Latin Flavors took to Facebook on March 27 and told followers 'Mr. Daniel B. does not belong to Latin Flavors'

In an unrelated case, a McDonald’s franchisee was ordered to pay over $4 million to the family of a 14-year-old girl who was assaulted by her manager. Walter A. Garner, a registered sex offender, pleaded guilty in 2021 to sexually assaulting a teenage employee at a McDonald’s in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

Garner, who was convicted in 2003 for assaulting a 10-year-old girl, was hired as a manager despite his status as a registered sex offender. He harassed and assaulted the 14-year-old employee in 2021, eventually following her into a bathroom where he raped her.

The victim’s attorney condemned the company’s hiring practices, questioning how a known sex offender was allowed to supervise minors. He stated that no amount of money could compensate for the trauma suffered by the victim.