American Airlines Blaming 9-Year-Old Girl for Being Secretly Recorded in Aircraft Lavatory; Mother Expresses Strong Disapproval

By Trisha Andrada

May 22, 2024 04:36 AM EDT

American Airlines
An American Airlines plane prepares to land at the Miami International Airport on May 02, 2023 in Miami, Florida.
(Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

American Airlines is blaming a 9-year-old girl after an incident involving being secretly videotaped by a flight attendant in the aircraft restroom. In a recent court document, the airline asserts that the minor "should have known" that the aircraft lavatory was equipped with a recording device.

Family, Lawyer Express Shock and Frustration

The 36-year-old flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III allegedly recorded the use of the restroom by four female passengers who were traveling to Disneyland with their families from Texas last year.

According to the Boston Herald, American Airlines' attorneys said in the defense brief that the company would prove that plaintiff Mary Doe's injuries and illnesses were directly caused by her own fault and negligence.

"She knew or should have known [it] contained a visible and illuminated recording device," the company lawyers said about the girl's use of the compromised lavatory.

It was shocking for the family and their lawyers to see American Airlines' latest court filing.

"How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? It both shocks and angers us," the girl's mother stated. She said that American Airlines has "no shame."

The family's lawyer, Paul Llewellyn, expressed his disbelief and anger at the idea of blaming a 9-year-old for being recorded while using the airline restroom. He thinks this is the lowest level of legal depravity ever and that the airline must feel immense guilt for its actions.

READ NEXT: American Airlines Pilots Union Issues Urgent Safety Alert Over Maintenance Issues

Complaints Against the Airline Began Early This Year Following Similar Case

The complaints against American Airlines began early this year after Thompson was detained on suspicion of filming a 14-year-old girl in the plane's restroom as it was traveling to Boston. A hearing was held on Monday, May 20, in the United States District Court of Massachusetts to arraign Thompson on the federal charges related to that case.

Federal authorities have taken Thompson to jail after he pleaded not guilty to two charges: one of possessing child pornography showing a prepubescent juvenile and one of attempting to exploit minors sexually.

READ MORE: British Man Dies in Singapore Airlines Flight After Boeing 777 Encounters Severe Turbulence

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