A lawsuit against American Airlines involving a 9-year-old girl took a shocking turn when the airline’s attorneys stated that the young girl should have known she was being videotaped by a flight attendant while using the bathroom. The flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, was arrested for allegedly secretly filming multiple girls between the ages of 7 and 14 on several flights. American Airlines argued in legal papers that any injuries sustained by the girl were her own fault and negligence, as she should have been aware of the recording device in the lavatory.
The girl’s family, represented by lawyer Paul Llewellyn, expressed outrage at the airline’s defense, calling it desperate and depraved. Llewellyn questioned American Airlines’ reasoning behind blaming a 9-year-old for being filmed and criticized their legal strategy. American Airlines stated that they take the allegations seriously and did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. The family filed the lawsuit more than a year after the girl was allegedly filmed on a flight to Los Angeles.
Thompson was arrested and charged with attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography after a 14-year-old girl on a separate flight from North Carolina discovered an iPhone recording her in the bathroom. The North Carolina girl took a photo of the setup before exiting the lavatory. Llewellyn noted that American Airlines did not make similar claims against the North Carolina teen in a separate lawsuit. Thompson pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment in federal court.
Federal prosecutors found evidence of at least four instances of Thompson recording minors in the bathroom, leading to his arrest and charges. In the legal filing on Monday, American Airlines shifted blame to Thompson, stating that his actions were outside the scope of his employment. The girl’s family is deeply upset by the airline’s response and the ongoing legal battle. American Airlines had previously stated that they take such allegations seriously, but their latest legal defense has sparked controversy and outrage. The case continues to unfold, with Thompson facing criminal charges and the girl’s family seeking justice for the violation of their daughter’s privacy.
