TSA apologizes for detaining 3-year-old disabled girl

The Transportation Security Administration has apologized to a Missouri family after it detained a 3-year-old disabled girl at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

Nathan Forck and his wife, Annie, along with their three children were heading to Orlando, Fla., for a family vacation at Walt Disney World. Lucy, their 3-year-old, has spina bifida and is confined to a wheelchair, Fox News’ Todd Starnes reports.

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A TSA agent pulled Lucy aside for further screening as the family went through security checks. The agents told the family they had to swab the wheelchair and pat down the child.

“They treated her like a criminal,” Mr. Forck said. “And by extension they were treating us as criminals.”

Lucy began weeping uncontrollably while her mother filmed the incident. The agent told her to stop and that it was illegal to film the screening.

“You can’t do touch my daughter unless I record it,” she can be heard telling the agent.

The agent ended up not patting down the little girl, but after about 30 minutes, the rest of the family was re-screened with a pat-down and let go.

“TSA regrets inaccurate guidance was provided to this family during screening and offers its apology,” a TSA spokesman told Fox News. “We are committed to maintaining the security of the traveling public and strive to treat all passengers with dignity and respect.”

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