Airline Retracts Court Document That Blamed 9-Year-Old Victim in Airplane Bathroom Recording Incident
American Airlines withdrew a controversial court filing in May 2024 after its lawyers blamed a 9-year-old girl for being recorded in an airplane bathroom by a flight attendant. The legal document claimed the child was at fault for using a lavatory containing “a visible and illuminated recording device.” The case stemmed from a September 2023 incident where former flight attendant Estes Thompson III allegedly recorded multiple minors in the bathroom of a Charlotte to Boston flight. The legal filing was part of the airline’s defense in a civil lawsuit filed in Texas, separate from the criminal charges Thompson faces in federal court.
5 Key Points
- Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Thompson III, 37, pleaded not guilty in May 2024 to federal charges of sexual exploitation and possession of images of child sexual abuse.
- Federal investigators discovered videos of five different girls, ranging from ages 7 to 14, allegedly recorded in the airplane bathroom.
- The incident was first discovered when a 14-year-old passenger photographed red stickers concealing an iPhone under the toilet seat lid.
- Thompson allegedly instructed victims to use the first-class bathroom after claiming the toilet seat was broken and that he needed to wash his hands.
- American Airlines issued a statement calling the victim-blaming legal filing “an error” and directed their insurance company’s legal counsel to amend the document.
Victims’ Families Condemn Airlines’ Legal Defense
In the Texas civil lawsuit, American Airlines’ attorneys initially attempted to avoid financial liability by claiming the 9-year-old victim bore responsibility for the incident. The child’s mother responded with a statement: “Instead of taking responsibility for this awful event, American Airlines is actually blaming our daughter for being filmed. How in good conscience could they even make such a suggestion? It both shocks and angers us. American Airlines has no shame.”
American Airlines Issues Statement of Correction
American Airlines released a statement distancing itself from the legal filing. “Our outside legal counsel retained with our insurance company made an error in this filing,” the airline stated. “The included defense is not representative of our airline and we have directed it be amended this morning. We do not believe this child is at fault, and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously.”
Criminal Investigation Reveals Multiple Victims
The federal investigation into Estes Thompson III, 37, of Charlotte, North Carolina, uncovered evidence of additional victims. After his January 2024 arrest in Lynchburg, Virginia, investigators allegedly found videos on Thompson’s phone showing four other girls—ages 7, 9, 11, and 14—using the airplane bathroom. The phone also contained dozens of photos of a 9-year-old unaccompanied minor. Thompson pleaded not guilty in Boston federal court to charges of sexual exploitation and possession of images of child sexual abuse.
Initial Discovery Led to Federal Investigation
The case came to light on September 2, 2023, when a 14-year-old passenger on a Charlotte to Boston flight discovered recording equipment in the first-class bathroom. Thompson allegedly directed the teen to use that specific bathroom, claiming he needed to wash his hands and warning about a broken toilet seat. The girl noticed red stickers on the toilet seat lid’s underside and used her phone to photograph Thompson’s concealed iPhone before alerting authorities.
Current Legal Proceedings
Thompson remains in custody without bail while awaiting trial in Boston federal court on charges of sexual exploitation and possession of images of child sexual abuse. The civil lawsuit against American Airlines continues in Texas, where the airline’s legal team must submit amended court documents after retracting the victim-blaming defense. The case highlights ongoing concerns about passenger safety and corporate responsibility in the airline industry, particularly regarding protecting unaccompanied minors.
FAQ
Q: What can I do if my child has been a victim of sexual abuse or exploitation?
A: If your child has experienced sexual abuse or exploitation, legal options may be available to seek justice and accountability. Click here for a free, confidential case review to learn about your family’s rights and next steps. We are committed to supporting you with compassion and protecting your privacy throughout the process.
Q: What criminal charges does Estes Thompson III face?
A: Thompson faces federal charges of sexual exploitation and possession of images of child sexual abuse in Boston federal court.
Q: How many victims were identified in this case?
A: Federal investigators found videos of five different girls, ages 7, 9, 11, and 14, plus additional photos of a 9-year-old unaccompanied minor.
Q: What was American Airlines’ initial legal response to the civil lawsuit?
A: In their Texas civil court filing, American Airlines’ attorneys claimed the 9-year-old victim was at fault for using a bathroom that contained “a visible and illuminated recording device.”
Q: How did Thompson allegedly record the victims?
A: Thompson allegedly directed victims to use the first-class bathroom after claiming the toilet seat was broken. He concealed his iPhone beneath red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid.
Q: What is Thompson’s current status in the criminal case?
A: Thompson was arrested in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia, pleaded not guilty in May 2024, and is held without bail while awaiting trial in Boston federal court.
Q: How was the recording scheme discovered?
A: A 14-year-old passenger on a September 2, 2023, Charlotte to Boston flight noticed red stickers on the toilet seat lid, discovered the hidden iPhone, and photographed the evidence before alerting authorities.
Q: How did American Airlines respond to the backlash over their legal filing?
A: The airline issued a statement calling the filing “an error” by their insurance company’s outside legal counsel, stating, “We do not believe this child is at fault” and directing the document to be amended.
Citations
Palumbo, A., & McKinley Becker, K. (May 26, 2024). American Airlines calls legal filing blaming girl, 9, for plane bathroom recording ‘an error’. NBC Boston. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/american-airlines-blames-9-year-old-in-case-of-flight-attendant-recording-girls-in-plane-bathroom/3376517/
