TSA apologies for screening that upset 3-year-old

Friday, February 22, 2013

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Transportation Security Administration is apologizing after agents at Lambert Airport in St. Louis sought to screen a 3-year-old girl in a wheelchair.

The mother of the child shot video that caused a stir in social media after it was posted online.

The incident happened Feb. 8. The girl and her family were about to fly to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. A TSA agent asked to pat down the 3-year-old and screen her wheelchair. The agent initially told the girl’s mother, Annie Schulte, it was illegal to tape the activity.

On the video, the little girl, Lucy, who has spina bifida, is seen crying. Agents eventually decided against a pat-down.

The TSA says it regrets the incident and will address concerns with its workers.

Video

Mother films TSA screening daughter in wheelchair

More like this story

RobHunterJohnson 3 months ago

Thats our goverment at their best? She is not returning to the country, she is going to DisenyLand! It is like asking a 14 year old boy, in a car with Mo plates in 1970, 10 miles from ElPaso, Tx, if he was a Citizen of these United States? All the time with his border agent Hat, holding his hand on the revolver,looking in the window, because we looked like a family of Mexicans? Nothing like some soft work need to stop 30 cars today to get the quota! Rob

JCLifer 3 months ago

Even though every terrorist has been a young man of middle eastern descent, it is important that we hassle every person as much as possible to be fair. This includes old grannies, young children, and the disabled.

I am surprised TSA just didn't run her through the baggage X-ray. That would have been easier. Of course it may be possible that some of the agents actually enjoy patting down young girls.

We have an out-of-control government, and our enemies are working overtime to take away our 2nd Amendment rights at a time when they may be much-needed to protect ourselves from this evil government. Ironic, huh?

kentheco 3 months ago

Remember, profiling is illegal so just because you look like a terrorist (just what does one look like?) you cannot be singled out. Thanks to court rulings, there has to be a measurable method to searches (every fifth person, everyone with brown shoes, everyone, etc.) or specific action/behavior to satisfy the requirements for law enforcement agencies to stop/search you.

JCLifer 3 months ago

and this is stupid. Why harass innocent people and not check folks who fit the profile of past and known terrorists? Government inefficiency at its worst.

You can bet that all successful LEA DO profile and focus on the traits of known criminals.

kentheco 3 months ago

Maybe in other states, but check the Attorney General's web site to see the reporting requirements placed on Missouri law enforcement agencies since 2001. Under 590.650.2, RSMo, and directions of the Attorney General, law enforcement agencies are required to report age, gender and race or minority group of each individual stopped; total number and duration of searches conducted; and results. There are other requirements, too numerous to list here, that are also required. I do not know what type of action the state would take against those agencies that fail to report, but I am sure that there would be lawsuits claiming violation of civil rights against those agencies that do not comply.

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