The family of a 14-year-old girl is suing American Airlines after a flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, allegedly filmed her using the airplane bathroom. Thompson was sentenced to 18.5 years in prison for his actions, which included secretly recording several young girls while they used the lavatory during flights. The incident occurred in September 2023 when the girl discovered an iPhone hidden under stickers indicating the toilet was inoperative. After the girl alerted her parents, they notified flight staff, leading to Thompson’s apprehension.
Investigators found that Thompson had recorded multiple underage girls over several months and stored disturbing images on his iCloud account, including AI-generated child pornography. American Airlines terminated his employment immediately upon learning of the allegations and claimed to be cooperating with authorities.
In response to the incident, the family filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging negligence for failing to recognize Thompson as a danger and allowing him to delete potential evidence when confronted. The suit has since been settled. Earlier in 2024, American Airlines faced criticism for their legal strategy in a separate case regarding a 9-year-old girl, initially arguing that the child was negligent in being filmed. The airline later corrected this, emphasizing their commitment to the welfare of children and distancing themselves from the legal argument presented by their external counsel.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley emphasized the deep violation of trust that Thompson inflicted on his young victims, indicating a profound loss of safety and security for the affected children. The case highlights critical concerns about child safety and the responsibilities of airlines to protect their passengers, especially vulnerable minors.
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