American Airlines is facing a lawsuit filed in Texas on behalf of a 9-year-old girl, referred to as Mary Doe, who was allegedly secretly filmed while using the bathroom on a flight from Austin to Los Angeles. The lawsuit names former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson, who is facing federal child sexual exploitation charges. Thompson is accused of secretly recording several minors while they used the bathroom on various flights last year. The incident involving the 9-year-old girl has sparked controversy, with American Airlines initially blaming her for using a lavatory that had a visible recording device.
In response to public backlash, American Airlines has requested that its law firm change its legal response to the lawsuit. The airline stated that the initial defense blaming the child was not representative of their beliefs and that they do not believe the child is at fault. The family’s attorney, Paul Llewellyn, criticized American Airlines’ legal strategy, calling it “depraved” and “shocking.” The child’s mother expressed disbelief at the suggestion that her daughter could be blamed for being filmed in such a manner. The airline’s change in direction comes after facing criticism for its initial response to the lawsuit.
Thompson, the former flight attendant involved in the incident, has been indicted on federal charges including sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography in connection with an incident involving a 14-year-old on a flight to Boston. Federal prosecutors found additional videos on Thompson’s iCloud account showing four more minors, including a 9-year-old, using the bathroom on American Airlines flights between January and August 2023. The parents of the 14-year-old, referred to as Jane Doe, have filed a complaint against American Airlines in North Carolina, alleging that the airline’s conduct worsened the harm suffered by their daughter.
The complaint states that American Airlines failed to immediately confiscate the flight attendant’s phone and notify the pilots, allowing him to potentially destroy evidence. Jane Doe has reportedly suffered significant emotional distress as a result of the incident and seeks relief through legal action. Thompson was arraigned on the charges and is scheduled to appear in court in July in Boston. The legal proceedings surrounding this case highlight the serious nature of the allegations against the former flight attendant and the implications for American Airlines in addressing the fallout from the incident involving the minors who were recorded using the bathroom.
This case underscores the importance of ensuring passenger safety and security on flights, as well as the responsibility of airlines to respond effectively to incidents of misconduct or potential criminal behavior by their employees. American Airlines’ response to the lawsuit and the allegations surrounding the former flight attendant raise questions about the airline’s policies and procedures for protecting passengers, particularly minors, from harm. The legal proceedings in this case will likely continue to shed light on the complexities of addressing such incidents and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. The impact of this case on the airline industry and passenger safety remains to be seen as further developments unfold.
