(UNION COUNTY) A Union County family has filed a federal lawsuit against American Airlines in early August 2025, claiming the airline failed to protect their 11-year-old daughter and other children from being secretly recorded in airplane bathrooms by a former flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson. The lawsuit comes just weeks after Thompson received an 18.5-year federal prison sentence for attempted sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography, following an FBI investigation that revealed he filmed at least five girls on several flights in 2023.
Key Details and Timeline
The lawsuit, filed on August 6–7, 2025, in federal court, accuses American Airlines of ignoring warnings from other employees about Thompson’s behavior and failing to take action to protect minors. According to the family’s attorney, the young victim now suffers from serious psychological trauma, including depression and anxiety, as a direct result of the incident. The family is seeking damages for the emotional and psychological harm caused, and the complaint specifically points to negligence and an inadequate response to internal warnings.
The complaint states that other flight attendants and staff had raised concerns about Estes Carter Thompson before the incidents, but American Airlines did not act to prevent further harm. This lack of action, the lawsuit argues, allowed Thompson to continue his illegal activities, putting more children at risk.
Incident involving Union County girl recorded in airplane lavatory
Hidden phone discovered by another victim; FBI investigation begins
Thompson pleads guilty to attempted sexual exploitation and possession of child porn
Thompson sentenced to 18.5 years in federal prison
American Airlines changes law firms after controversial legal filing
Union County family files federal lawsuit against American Airlines
Incident Background
The events began in August 2023, when the Union County family was traveling to Disney World. During the flight, Thompson taped a smartphone inside the lavatory to secretly record passengers, including the family’s 11-year-old daughter. The case came to light a month later, in September 2023, when another young passenger discovered the hidden phone on a flight from Charlotte to Boston. This discovery led to an FBI investigation, which uncovered more victims through evidence found in Thompson’s iCloud account.
The FBI presented this evidence to the Union County family, confirming that their daughter had been recorded. Thompson was arrested, pleaded guilty in March 2025, and admitted to filming at least five girls. His conviction and sentencing in July 2025 marked a major development in the case, but for the affected families, the trauma continues.
Other Lawsuits and Airline Response
American Airlines has faced several lawsuits related to these incidents. The airline previously settled a lawsuit with the family of the girl who first found the hidden phone in 2023. Other lawsuits have been filed by the families of a 14-year-old girl in North Carolina and a 9-year-old in Texas. In May 2024, American Airlines replaced its legal team after a controversial court filing blamed a 9-year-old victim for not noticing the camera. The airline quickly retracted this position and changed law firms.
American Airlines has stated that it takes such allegations seriously and is reviewing its legal and safety protocols. However, victims’ attorneys argue that the airline failed in its duty to protect passengers, especially minors, and ignored internal warnings about Thompson’s behavior.
Policy Implications and Industry Impact
These lawsuits highlight possible gaps in how airlines monitor employees, handle complaints, and respond to warnings about staff conduct. The case has led to calls for stricter background checks, better in-flight security, and improved training for airline staff to recognize and report suspicious behavior. The public and legal scrutiny of American Airlines’ response, especially after the attempt to blame a child victim, has increased pressure on the airline and the industry as a whole.
Legal experts say the outcome of these lawsuits could set important rules for how airlines are held responsible for employee misconduct and passenger safety. Victims’ advocates stress the need for airlines to take all internal complaints seriously and to put strong safeguards in place for minors, whether they are traveling alone or with family.
Procedural Details and Next Steps
The Union County family’s lawsuit is still in its early stages. American Airlines is expected to file a formal response in the coming weeks. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress and negligence, and details the sequence of events, the airline’s alleged failure to act on prior warnings, and the ongoing impact on the victim.
American Airlines has already settled at least one related lawsuit and is defending against others in both state and federal courts. The airline may face more lawsuits or even government investigations depending on the outcomes of these cases and any new information about its internal practices.
Broader Implications for Passengers and Families
For families, especially those traveling with children, these incidents raise serious concerns about safety and trust in airlines. The case has sparked a wider discussion about what airlines must do to protect passengers, how they should handle complaints about staff, and what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Some practical steps being discussed include:
- 📋 Mandatory reporting: Requiring all airline staff to report any suspicious behavior immediately.
- 📋 Enhanced surveillance: Installing more cameras in public areas of planes, while respecting privacy.
- 📋 Better training: Teaching staff how to spot and respond to warning signs of inappropriate behavior.
- 📋 Transparent complaint procedures: Making it easier for staff and passengers to report concerns without fear of retaliation.
Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives
Legal experts believe these lawsuits could lead to new rules for airline liability and passenger safety. Victims’ advocates want airlines to take every complaint seriously and to put strong protections in place for minors. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of these cases may push airlines to adopt stricter policies and improve how they handle internal warnings.
Resources and Support
If you or someone you know suspects or is a victim of child sexual abuse material, help is available through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. For official statements or inquiries, you can visit the American Airlines website or contact their customer relations department.
Summary Table: Key Facts
| Date/Event | Details |
|---|---|
| August 2023 | Incident involving Union County girl recorded in airplane lavatory |
| September 2023 | Hidden phone discovered by another victim; FBI investigation begins |
| March 2025 | Thompson pleads guilty to attempted sexual exploitation and possession of child porn |
| July 2025 | Thompson sentenced to 18.5 years in federal prison |
| August 6–7, 2025 | Union County family files federal lawsuit against American Airlines |
| May 2024 | American Airlines changes law firms after controversial legal filing |
| Ongoing | Multiple lawsuits, settlements, and calls for policy reform |
Looking Ahead
As the Union County lawsuit moves forward, American Airlines and the airline industry face growing pressure to improve safety for all passengers, especially children. The results of these lawsuits could lead to important changes in how airlines handle complaints, monitor staff, and protect minors. Families, advocates, and legal experts will be watching closely for updates and any new policies that may result from these cases.
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