Shocking: Child on a flight (allegedly) slapped by a fellow passenger

There are a number of articles in the media about an infant allegedly slapped by a fellow passenger on a flight.

The toddler's mother, Jessica Bennett, told ABC News she was sitting in the aisle seat of  row 28, alongside Joe Hundley, 60, a stranger. Hundley, who is the president of an aircraft parts company in Idaho, then allegedly smacked Jonah, a child!

The incident is shocking for several reasons:

• Children can get stressed out more than adults and need love and care: having an adult stranger “slap” a child can be a traumatic experience
• Passengers, already stressed out by their travel may be aggravated by that of fellow. Many don’t have the heart or sense to step outside their comfort zone and help fellow passengers

Shocking as this recent incident is, it does not seem to be an isolated incident. My wife and I were reflecting on this incident during lunch. It has been over four years since we lost our baby while on an international flight. (ref eBook: a child lost in flight) Although fellow passengers on that flight were not as unruly as Mr. Hundley allegedly was, most weren’t sympathetic either.

Bottomline: Flying and travel is stressful even during best of times and more so when one is traveling with an infant or child

Links:

• Mom 'Scared to Death' After Stranger Allegedly Slapped Her Infant on Flight (GMA)
• Unruly flier, accused of slapping tot, now out of work (USA Today)
• Man charged with slapping crying boy, uttering racial slur on Delta flight (cnn)