Using the airplane bathroom is a stress-inducing experience as it is but, on a recent flight between Charlotte and Boston, the family of a young girl were faced with their worst nightmare after suspecting use of a hidden camera inside one lavatory.
As first reported by the Massachusetts branch of ABC News, a North Carolina couple traveling to Boston on American Airlines (AAL) -) Flight 1441 on Sept. 2 with their two daughters said that the 14-year-old girl got up to use the bathroom in economy during the flight when a male flight attendant allegedly came up and told her to use the lavatory in business class because it would be faster.
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They further claim that the flight attendant entered the bathroom before their daughter; upon coming in, she found a sticker saying "seat broken" on the toilet lid and what they believe was a phone with a camera turned on underneath.
'The seat is broken, we're going to fix it when we get back to Charlotte'
"When he came out, he told her 'the seat is broken, we're going to fix it when we get back to Charlotte,'" the girl's father told the news outlet. "Don't worry about it.'" The names of all the people involved are being kept private.
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The girl took a picture of the sign that she shared with the news outlet and also said that the flight attendant went back into the bathroom as soon as she came out.
"It's sickening," the girl's father said. "There is no doubt in our minds that she was targeted by him. I mean, he approached her while she was waiting for the bathroom. He walked her up there. He went right in before her and then right after her."
The family reported the incident to another crew member aboard the flight and, as reported by the Associated Press, Massachusetts State Police troopers led the flight attendant off the plane once it landed at Boston Logan International Airport.
Police, FBI now involved in investigating the situation
Arrests have not been made but the situation is currently under investigation by both the police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as the alleged incident occurred in the air — the police said that they had taken steps after American Airlines notified them of "a potential criminal act."
American Airlines, in turn, said that it is committed to cooperating with law enforcement and acted quickly to get the police involved.
"American Airlines flight 1441 from Charlotte (CLT) to Boston (BOS) was met by law enforcement upon arrival," the airline told TheStreet in a statement. "We take this matter very seriously and are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation, as safety and security are our highest priorities."
The airline redirected questions for more details to law enforcement, which is also not commenting on an active investigation to media.