Mom says airline thought she was trafficking her biracial daughter

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A California woman is accusing Southwest Airlines of racial profiling, saying she was accused of human trafficking while traveling with her biracial daughter.

Mary MacCarthy of Los Angeles told CNN she and her 10-year-old daughter, Moira, were flying to Denver on October 22 after receiving news that MacCarthy's brother had suddenly died.

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When they arrived in Denver, MacCarthy said, she and her daughter were met on the jetway by two Denver police officers.

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The officers assured her nothing was wrong but said they wanted to question her and her daughter, MacCarthy said.

"They said they were here because my daughter and I were reported for suspicious behavior, acting suspiciously before boarding and while boarding," she said.

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/southwest-airlines-human-trafficking-accusation-mom-says-airline-thought-she-was-trafficking-her-biracial-daughter/ar-AAQqt6S

[abqtommy]

1. I'm aware from personal experience with a family I knew long ago that this

happens much more than we know of.

[Hortensis]

2. Well, investigation will help determine whether polite questioning

was warranted. The police are not at fault for the mother raising her 10-year-old to behave that way in thier presence. There are guidelines for personnel in public places, and of course police, whose responsibilities include watching for trafficked chldren.

Certainly anyone who takes childreninto an ER should expect careful scrutiny as well. How babies and children interact with whoever they're with is routinely observed.

When my 2-year-old dislocated her elbow, a police officer in the ER made her his business until he and the ER personnel decided my story was credible, my child consolable by her mother,and they didn't find another sign that might warrant investigation. Like this mother I took my tiny daughter into that situation without worrying, but became somewhat frightened when I realized that, if they'd had any suspicion at all, I would not have been allowed to leave with her.

Btw, this child acting seriously afraid of police, to the point of "inconsolable sobbing"? The behavior's odd in itself, the child exhibiting fear far beyond what would be expected, and inconsolable sobbing a sign of possible abuse in itself.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. How horrible for this mom and her daughter!

I hope they get compensated for such appalling treatment.

[padfun]

4. When my daughter committed suicide in my house,

there were two cops, one on each side of me, and they told me to stay where I was, which was in another room to where my daughters body was. I had to stand there for about a half hour until one cop came out of her bedroom and talked to the officers. After that I could see that I was no longer a suspect.

And thinking about it afterwards, I cant blame them as they had no idea what had happened. Despite someone who is grieving, they have to look at all possibilities.

[panader0]

9. How horrible about your daughter. My deepest sympathies are with you.

[struggle4progress]

5. I once took my niece (then 6) to a natural history museum. We wandered

through the exhibits and then went outside to the playground

Somebody called the police on us, as a possible kidnapping

An officer approached, told me he'd been observing us, and asked me how I knew the girl

I took a step away from her and suggested he ask her

She said, He's my uncle

That was that

You'd rather have people ask when worried than not

[Journeyman]

6. That's the truth . . .

So long as the authorities accept the explanation offered (provided it's plausible and not contradicted by the child), then I have no issue with them asking questions. Yet another sign of the shitty society that's been created around us. But like you, I'd rather the authorities ask than turn away in disinterest.

[JCMach1]

7. It didn't happen thank goodness, but I flew internationally with my 1yo

By myself (he's biracial). I always worried about it. Instead, I had some of nicest cabin crew you would ever want to meet on United.

[LisaL]

8. Employees are provided training on how to recognize human trafficking (with the best intentions,

I am sure). Unfortunately it appears they start seeing human trafficking where there is none.