American Airlines Adjusts Response After Blaming Child for Restroom Recording Incident
Following initial blame on a young passenger for an alleged restroom recording on a flight, American Airlines is now revising its legal stance. The airline has instructed its legal representation to modify their response after the incident involving a recording device discovered in the airplane bathroom.
American Airlines initially blamed a 9-year-old girl for using an airplane bathroom where a recording device was allegedly placed by a former employee. However, the airline has now asked its law firm to change its response.
The company was responding to a civil lawsuit filed by a girl named Mary Doe. The lawsuit claims that she was secretly filmed while using the airplane toilet during an American Airlines flight in January 2023.
A lawsuit filed in Texas names Estes Carter Thompson, a former American Airlines flight attendant, as the individual who secretly recorded minors using the bathroom on multiple flights last year. Federal investigators have charged him with child sexual exploitation. The incident involving a 9-year-old took place on a flight from Austin, Texas, to Los Angeles, California.
American Airlines initially blamed the girl for using a lavatory with a recording device.
American Airlines responded to CNN's inquiry by stating that the filing was a mistake made by outside counsel hired by their insurance company.
A former American Airline flight attendant has been accused of filming girls inside aircraft lavatories while working as a crew member, prosecutors said.
A former American Airline flight attendant has been accused of filming girls inside aircraft lavatories while working as a crew member, prosecutors said.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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American Airlines flight attendant is facing a child pornography charge after allegedly filming minors in airplane bathrooms, as reported by the Department of Justice.
In response to the situation, American Airlines issued a statement on Wednesday stating that the behavior of the accused individual does not reflect the values of the airline. The company has taken immediate action to address the issue and ensure that the incident is thoroughly investigated. They emphasized that they do not hold the child responsible for the actions of the former employee and are treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness.
Attorney Paul Llewellyn, who is representing the girl and her family, believes that American Airlines changed their stance due to public criticism.
Llewellyn stated to CNN that claiming they filed the "wrong" answer is not believable. He added, "They should never have taken such an outrageous position in the first place."
American Airlines’ legal strategy was criticized by Llewellyn as "depraved" and "shocking."
In a statement, the child's mother expressed her disbelief at American Airlines' approach, stating, "Instead of acknowledging their responsibility for this terrible incident, they are actually pointing fingers at our daughter for being filmed. How could they even consider such a claim?"
A former flight attendant, Thompson, is facing serious charges in Massachusetts for allegedly having videos of minors. The charges include sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. The incident involves a 14-year-old on an American Airlines flight to Boston, as stated in the criminal complaint.
Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts discovered more videos on Thompson's iCloud account while investigating the incident. These videos showed four additional minors, one of whom was only 9 years old, using the bathroom on American Airlines flights between January and August 2023, according to the Department of Justice.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 09: American Airlines flight attendants picket outside O’Hare International Airport to demand higher wages on May 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. According to union officials American Airlines flight attendants have not received a pay increase since 2019. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
American Airlines flight attendants in Chicago, Illinois are asking for higher wages. They gathered outside O'Hare International Airport on May 09, 2024. Union officials mentioned that these flight attendants have not received a pay raise since 2019. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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The parents of a 14-year-old, referred to as Jane Doe, filed a complaint against American Airlines in North Carolina. This was after she was filmed using the airplane toilet during a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to the complaint, American Airlines' conduct after the incident was not satisfactory. They did not confiscate the flight attendant's phone immediately and did not inform the pilots right away. This allowed the flight attendant to destroy evidence and made the situation worse for Jane Doe.
Jane Doe is claiming that she has experienced a lot of emotional distress and harm because of the actions of the airlines, and she is now looking for help to make things right.
CNN contacted Jane Doe's lawyers to get their input on the situation.
Thompson was arraigned on Monday and is scheduled to reappear in court on July 1 in Boston, Massachusetts.
CNN’s Braden Walker contributed to this report.
