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.
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.
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