American Airlines has been accused of ‘victim blaming’ after attorneys acting on behalf of the Fort Worth-based carrier claimed in a new court submission that the young victims of a flight attendant who secretly filmed them using a hidden camera in airplane lavatories should have noticed the concealed device.
The shocking defense put forward by American Airlines attempts to absolve the airline of blame over the actions of ex-flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III of Charlotte, who faces criminal charges of attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.
Thompson was caught in September 2023 when he allegedly targeted a 14-year-old girl on a flight from Charlotte to Boston. The girl spotted Thompson’s iPhone sticking out from a large ‘defective catering’ sticker, which was holding it to the First Class lavatory seat, and reported it to her parents.
Despite Thompson’s attempts to wipe crucial evidence from this phone, prosecutors claim that forensic experts managed to retrieve photos from his iCloud account, which depict other minor females being targeted in a similar way on other AA flights.
The parents of the 14-year-old victim have filed a lawsuit in a North Carolina court, while several other victims have since come forward and also filed separate claims, accusing American Airlines of negligence.
American Airlines has refuted all of the claims and in response to the lawsuit brought by the family of the 14-year-old girl, the carrier dismissed the allegations because it believes it can’t be held accountable for the actions of a rogue employee.
It has since emerged, however, that in response to another lawsuit, American Airlines is now saying that the crime perpetrated against the victim was her own fault.
“Defendant would show that any injuries or illnesses alleged to have been sustained by Plaintiff, Mary Doe, were proximately caused by Plaintiff’s own fault and negligence, were proximately caused by Plaintiff’s use of the compromised lavatory, which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device,” a recently filed legal document which has been released by the victim’s law firm reads.
AA’s attorneys have also listed a slew of other defenses against the lawsuit, once again claiming that the airline can’t be held responsible for the actions of Thompson.
Further details about the lawsuit have not been released by Lewis & Llewellyn LLP which is represented the family of the unnamed victim.
“To blame a 9-year-old for being filmed while using the aeroplane bathroom is both shocking and outrageous,” commented attorney Paul Llewellyn.
“In my opinion, this is a depraved legal strategy that sinks to a new low. American Airlines should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves,” Llewellyn continued.
Thompson pleaded not guilty to both criminal charges after he was arranged in a Boston courthouse on Monday. Prosecutors allege that they have found photos depicting victims aged just seven, nine, 11 and 14 using an airplane bathroom.
Additionally, over 50 images of a nine-year-old unaccompanied minor were allegedly found in Thompson’s iCloud account.
