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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,111 posts)
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 08:43 PM Feb 2013

FBI: Man used racial slur before striking crying toddler on Delta flight.

FEBRUARY 15--After demanding that the mother of a crying toddler “shut that nigger baby up,” a male passenger allegedly slapped the 19-month-old across the face as a flight prepared to land in Atlanta last Friday evening, The Smoking Gun has learned.

The shocking February 8 incident aboard Delta Airlines Flight 721 resulted in Joe Rickey Hundley, 60, being charged with simple assault, according to a U.S. District Court affidavit. Hundley, seen at right, is president of an aircraft parts manufacturer headquartered in Hayden, Idaho.

In an interview, Hundley denied striking the toddler or using a racial slur, though he did acknowledge that he “asked the mother to quiet the child.” Hundley, who said he was traveling to Atlanta to visit a hospitalized relative, described himself as “distraught” on the flight, during which he said he consumed a single alcoholic drink.

As detailed by FBI Agent Daron Cheney, Hundley was traveling to Atlanta from Minneapolis in seat 28A on the MD-90 twin-engine jet. He was seated next to Jessica Bennett, who shared seat 28B with her son Jonah.

Bennett, 33, told investigators that the “aircraft was in final descent” to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport when her child “started to cry due to the altitude change.” Bennett added that she “was trying to get [her son] to stop crying, but he continued.”

At this point, Bennett recalled, Hundley used the racial epithet as he told her to shut the child up. He then allegedly “turned around and slapped” the toddler in the face “with an open hand, which caused the juvenile victim to scream even louder.” The slap, Bennett said, “caused a scratch below [the child’s] right eye.”

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/baby-slapped-on-plane-571923

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FBI: Man used racial slur before striking crying toddler on Delta flight. (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Feb 2013 OP
This just entered on other thread riverbendviewgal Feb 2013 #1
Hate crimes against toddlers?!?!?!?! Holy fucking shit. nt ZombieHorde Feb 2013 #2
wow, this thread plus calling the PRes the N word thread, and the thread JI7 Feb 2013 #3
Slap my baby and call her a racial name and see what happens. Bluzmann57 Feb 2013 #4
I'm with you ~ Ms. goclark, goclark Feb 2013 #29
I tell you what atreides1 Feb 2013 #39
I would have jumped him Ilsa Feb 2013 #42
What's this big shot Captain of Industry doing riding in coach, anyhow? The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2013 #5
Any independent witnesses hearing the racial epithet and seeing the toddler struck in the face? indepat Feb 2013 #6
The article seems to indicate an FBI agent was right next to the mom. Bucky Feb 2013 #7
I don't think the FBI agent was on the plane; The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2013 #10
Yes. Read the whole Smoking Gun article. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2013 #8
Yes, you dummy: read the URL indepat Feb 2013 #9
Good Advice.. Cha Feb 2013 #15
I doubt if he's any of that. Hayden is a place on a lake in the woods. Cleita Feb 2013 #12
He probably makes airplane parts in his barn. n/t Cleita Feb 2013 #13
Hayden, Idaho is where the Aryan Nation was once headquartered. Cleita Feb 2013 #11
Isn't some other group starting a militia compound in Northern Idaho? Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Feb 2013 #16
There's a bunch of them. In Montana too. But these people really aren't locals, Cleita Feb 2013 #18
Put him on the no-fly list jsr Feb 2013 #14
Please reconsider this post mythology Feb 2013 #19
It's not cool to hit a baby either... HipChick Feb 2013 #20
It's never fun when someone asks you to reconsider your post, but please think about it. stevenleser Feb 2013 #21
Thank you, it takes a lot of class to do the right thing in that situation, and you clearly have a stevenleser Feb 2013 #23
No problemo jsr Feb 2013 #24
Editing is a sign of class Nevernose Feb 2013 #37
The picture of Jonah in the pumpkin patch is so cute. sheshe2 Feb 2013 #17
Oh my God...this is unbelievable Catherine Vincent Feb 2013 #22
LOL, life in prison for simple assault? n-t Logical Feb 2013 #25
Well...not really Catherine Vincent Feb 2013 #34
It is amazing how rude and stupid some people are. If I would have been sitting by him.... Logical Feb 2013 #35
Hate crime and a Fed charge obamanut2012 Feb 2013 #59
Small children should be put in the back......................... MRDAWG Feb 2013 #26
Yeah, but this guy HIT the kid..... AverageJoe90 Feb 2013 #27
How about you move then ajk2821 Feb 2013 #28
I'm with you ! ~ Adults should act like goclark Feb 2013 #30
like it's safer for your kids to sit on your lap dlwickham Feb 2013 #32
If I paid for 5 seats, I would be using them. PotatoChip Feb 2013 #51
5 tkts = 5 seats = 5 carry on luggage spaces - If that happens again get their full name , let them lunasun Feb 2013 #52
they make these things called ear plugs dlwickham Feb 2013 #31
Perhaps you should consider flying in private aircraft csziggy Feb 2013 #33
wow. the whole world has gotta adjust to you. that is the problem. it isnt always about you. nt seabeyond Feb 2013 #38
Yes, sometimes small children on airplanes can be annoying. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2013 #41
Go the fuck away cali Feb 2013 #48
I suggest you get yourself a jetpak so you can fly solo. City Lights Feb 2013 #57
This message was self-deleted by its author Horse with no Name Feb 2013 #36
His mother is white BTW... HipChick Feb 2013 #43
This message was self-deleted by its author Horse with no Name Feb 2013 #44
Wow you would not guess that by all the racist comments about the mother I have read... lunasun Feb 2013 #53
Maybe I missed that ~ the Mom was White goclark Feb 2013 #60
He's been arrested on concealed-weapon charges wtmusic Feb 2013 #40
This message was self-deleted by its author Horse with no Name Feb 2013 #45
As an aside, ellie Feb 2013 #46
Again ask to be moved ajk2821 Feb 2013 #49
I would have but the plane was full ellie Feb 2013 #50
I just called my newsroom... jmowreader Feb 2013 #47
The racial epithet, however despicable, SheilaT Feb 2013 #54
Racial slur? Trivial? I don't think so... HipChick Feb 2013 #55
I don't intend to be trivializing the racial slur. SheilaT Feb 2013 #56
I hope random people slap this man when he least expects it. Pisces Feb 2013 #58

JI7

(89,182 posts)
3. wow, this thread plus calling the PRes the N word thread, and the thread
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 08:48 PM
Feb 2013

of the nurse being told she can't take care of a baby because she is black .

people aren't even trying to hide anymore it seems.

Bluzmann57

(12,336 posts)
4. Slap my baby and call her a racial name and see what happens.
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 08:52 PM
Feb 2013

That asshole would have been begging for that plane to not only land, but run over him as well. Let's hope he is punished to the fullest extent of the law.

goclark

(30,404 posts)
29. I'm with you ~ Ms. goclark,
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:35 PM
Feb 2013

who happens to be African American, would be climbing over the seat to give him an Ali Punch. They would have to pull me off of him if he touched my grandchild!

I would do it no matter what race my grandchild was -- my extended family is Japanese /Chinese/ Black/White and we all get along great.

Hell is way too good for Fools like that idiot!

atreides1

(16,046 posts)
39. I tell you what
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:59 PM
Feb 2013

If it was my child, that clown would still be visiting his relative in the hospital...in the other bed!!!

Ilsa

(61,675 posts)
42. I would have jumped him
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 12:26 AM
Feb 2013

As soon as seeing him strike anyone's child.
Asshole needs to go to jail.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
5. What's this big shot Captain of Industry doing riding in coach, anyhow?
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 08:52 PM
Feb 2013

You'd think he'd want a first class seat so he wouldn't have to rub shoulders with any of the 47%ers. Or hit their babies.

Pig.

Bucky

(53,795 posts)
7. The article seems to indicate an FBI agent was right next to the mom.
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:05 PM
Feb 2013

Not a bad choice, as far as witnesses go.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
10. I don't think the FBI agent was on the plane;
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:08 PM
Feb 2013

more likely he was citing witness reports. Also, even if he'd been there he couldn't have been sitting right next to the mom because the configuration on the MD-90 is Seat A, Seat B, aisle, then seats C, D and E. Slapper guy had the window seat, mom had the aisle seat with baby on her lap.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
8. Yes. Read the whole Smoking Gun article.
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:06 PM
Feb 2013

Another passenger said he both heard the epithet and saw the slap.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
12. I doubt if he's any of that. Hayden is a place on a lake in the woods.
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:11 PM
Feb 2013

I don't ever remember seeing any big industry there.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
11. Hayden, Idaho is where the Aryan Nation was once headquartered.
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:09 PM
Feb 2013

There still are a bunch of those loonies still there. I hope the Southern Poverty Law Center gets involved.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,111 posts)
16. Isn't some other group starting a militia compound in Northern Idaho?
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:42 PM
Feb 2013

It's a pretty area. Sorry they're attracting so many whack jobs.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
18. There's a bunch of them. In Montana too. But these people really aren't locals,
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 10:33 PM
Feb 2013

people who are descendants of the original settlers many of French and Norwegian decent and native Americans. Those locals aren't racist. The racists have moved up there from south of there because the places they originated from didn't want them and their wacko ideas either. The people of those inland forests tended to leave them alone so they settled in. I lived up there for five years. It is really lovely. Too bad they always vote for the Republican who doesn't give a shit about preserving the heritage and wilderness areas of the place.

 

mythology

(9,527 posts)
19. Please reconsider this post
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 10:40 PM
Feb 2013

It implies that he should suffer some sort of prison attack. Whether it's meant to be physical or sexual, it's not cool either way.

 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
21. It's never fun when someone asks you to reconsider your post, but please think about it.
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 10:56 PM
Feb 2013

There is enormous consensus on DU that cheering on rape for a criminal or alleged criminal is an ugly thing.

 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
23. Thank you, it takes a lot of class to do the right thing in that situation, and you clearly have a
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:13 PM
Feb 2013

lot of it (class).

sheshe2

(83,355 posts)
17. The picture of Jonah in the pumpkin patch is so cute.
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:58 PM
Feb 2013

How anyone could strike this child's sweet face is beyond me.

Catherine Vincent

(34,485 posts)
22. Oh my God...this is unbelievable
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 10:59 PM
Feb 2013

What the hell is wrong with that racist fool? If this did happen, they should lock this sorry racist bastid up and throw away the key. If this had happened to my child, there is no way, this man would have been able to walk off that plane without a limp.

 

Logical

(22,457 posts)
35. It is amazing how rude and stupid some people are. If I would have been sitting by him....
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:52 PM
Feb 2013

I would have been glad to restrain him.

He deserves a night or two in jail for sure!

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
59. Hate crime and a Fed charge
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 05:17 PM
Feb 2013

He could be looking at a decent stint in federal prison, plus a civil suit.

MRDAWG

(501 posts)
26. Small children should be put in the back.........................
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:26 PM
Feb 2013

nothing to do with race.

I don't like loud people of ANY age.
I don't want to hear your story, ipod, movie , child etc.
Especially on a closed in place. No cell phones on airplanes because of this.

ajk2821

(89 posts)
28. How about you move then
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:33 PM
Feb 2013

If you don't want to sit next to the child, offer to switch seats with a person in back. I bet you might get some takers. I have three kids and due to my wife's work, we travel quite a bit. We pay full fare, just like you, for our kids seats. Despite that, I have been told by passengers and attendants that we can't use over head space for our kids luggage; that our three kids all have to sit on our laps so they can seat other passengers (we buy 5 seats for 5 people) among other things.

goclark

(30,404 posts)
30. I'm with you ! ~ Adults should act like
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:41 PM
Feb 2013

ADULTS!

Young Children are usually doing fine on the planes that I've been on recently / age appropriate -- it's the crazy Adults that can get on my nerves.

dlwickham

(3,316 posts)
32. like it's safer for your kids to sit on your lap
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:49 PM
Feb 2013

than in a seat? If I paid for 5 seats, I want my five seats

that makes absolutely no sense

PotatoChip

(3,186 posts)
51. If I paid for 5 seats, I would be using them.
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 01:19 PM
Feb 2013

No matter what other passengers and attendants say. And I'm the type of person who always tries to avoid conflict, if at all possible.

Maybe these people don't realize that you paid for all 5 seats?

As to the OP, what a despicable thing this man did! I hope he will be penalized as far as the law will allow.

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
52. 5 tkts = 5 seats = 5 carry on luggage spaces - If that happens again get their full name , let them
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 01:22 PM
Feb 2013

know you have 5 tkts and ask what their reasoning is -
You bought the 5tkts
& need to show them to the attendant
perhaps they do not know if the seats are unassigned that 5 tkts were purchased
SYG on that
If they refuse report them to the airlines, make sure you get their name and all other attendants that agree with them on the flight. They may be just ASSuming you have only 3 tickets

dlwickham

(3,316 posts)
31. they make these things called ear plugs
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:47 PM
Feb 2013

maybe you should invest in a pair before the next time you fly

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
33. Perhaps you should consider flying in private aircraft
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:50 PM
Feb 2013

That way you can totally control who flies in the same closed in space as you.

Children are people, too. If their parents have paid for a ticket, they have as much right to be in the seat assigned as you do in yours. If you don't like the company of the people in the plane, then you should consider alternative modes of transportation, not try to segregate those who do not meet your criteria.

Earplugs or noise canceling headphones work, too.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
38. wow. the whole world has gotta adjust to you. that is the problem. it isnt always about you. nt
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 11:59 PM
Feb 2013

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,280 posts)
41. Yes, sometimes small children on airplanes can be annoying.
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 12:21 AM
Feb 2013

That doesn't mean you get to call them names or hit them. Or even whine about how children are SO annoying that they all ought to have to ride in the back. What it means is that, since you are the grownup you get to behave yourself. Use earplugs or a noise-cancelling headset, or just suck it up. You won't be on the plane forever.

Jeez.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
48. Go the fuck away
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 05:07 AM
Feb 2013

this is about a grown man hitting a crying small child and using racial slurs. Clearly, genius, it had everything to do with race and a racist pig.

Response to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Response to HipChick (Reply #43)

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
53. Wow you would not guess that by all the racist comments about the mother I have read...
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 01:29 PM
Feb 2013

Some are just directed to the poor child
....like the one I read said that the baby cries a lot because he doesn't know who his father is like most black babies

goclark

(30,404 posts)
60. Maybe I missed that ~ the Mom was White
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 05:31 PM
Feb 2013

and the Father was Black?

The "N" Word was not appropriate in any situation. I am African American and my grandfather was " More White / Blue eyes, Fair skin looking" etc.

One day when I was abt. 6, he took me shopping downtown in a Big City in the East. In those times, especially for African Americans, when we went " Downtown" we were dressed in our " Sunday Best." ~ that meant I was wearing a pretty blue dress, a little purse, don't remember the color and shiny new black patent leather shoes.

A White lady was walking toward us and said......

"What a beautiful little girl, is that your maid's child?"

My wonderful grandfather ( who was the beloved Butler for an extremely wealthy White Man) calmly told her....

" This is my wonderful grandchild and I am a proud Colored Man - "good day "

I am now a Senior and I still remember that experience. The lady appeared to be in what I would call "total shock!"

I often wonder how she handled other situations that involved RACE during her lifetime.



Response to wtmusic (Reply #40)

ellie

(6,928 posts)
46. As an aside,
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 01:06 AM
Feb 2013

I just flew Delta from Atlanta and they have to be the worst. I was flying next to an unaccompanied minor who was beyond fidgety, thanks to the flight attendants who kept him filled up on cookies. Thanks! Just what I wanted to do: babysit.

ajk2821

(89 posts)
49. Again ask to be moved
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 10:52 AM
Feb 2013

They will happily try to move you or just be a man and then they will make you move since men can't sit next to unaccompanied minors. And as an added bonus, they will imply that you are a child molester too when they move you.

ellie

(6,928 posts)
50. I would have but the plane was full
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 12:47 PM
Feb 2013

Every flight I am on is like the last flight out of Saigon: filled to the brim.

jmowreader

(50,453 posts)
47. I just called my newsroom...
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 03:26 AM
Feb 2013

and asked them if anyone knew there was an aircraft parts manufacturer in Hayden before tonight.

"Yeah, I THINK we ran a story about them five or six years ago."

I looked on Google Maps for the company; its building is smaller than most of the barns around here.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
54. The racial epithet, however despicable,
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 04:16 PM
Feb 2013

is in my opinion, trivial. Slapping someone else's child? He should have been taken off the plane in hand cuffs.

HipChick

(25,485 posts)
55. Racial slur? Trivial? I don't think so...
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 05:02 PM
Feb 2013

It is something that poor baby will be dealing with the rest of his life as long as racists like that are around

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
56. I don't intend to be trivializing the racial slur.
Sat Feb 16, 2013, 05:07 PM
Feb 2013

You're right, that child will probably be dealing with them the rest of his life, and I can only hope will learn how to deal with them.

But if I, a white woman, were travelling on a plane with my toddler (which I did when the boys were that age) and if they started crying, which happened more than once, I would of course do all I could to sooth my child and get him to stop crying. If the man in the next seat slapped my child, I would absolutely demand that he be arrest for battery.

Hitting a child? Someone else's child? As I said, the man should have been taken off the plane in handcuffs.

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