A woman was arrested at Orlando Sanford International Airport after allegedly striking a child during a flight, authorities reported. The incident occurred on a domestic flight just prior to landing, when tensions escalated between a female passenger and a child seated nearby.
According to the Sanford Police Department, the confrontation began when the child reportedly called the woman “fat.” Witnesses told investigators that the woman responded by physically striking the child. Cabin crew intervened, and local law enforcement was alerted upon landing.
The woman was taken into custody at the airport without incident and now faces charges of battery. The child did not require medical attention, but authorities confirmed that social services were notified as a precautionary measure.
A spokesperson for the airline said in a statement: “We do not tolerate any form of violence or aggression aboard our aircraft. Passenger and crew safety is our top priority, and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
The suspect has not been publicly identified, pending further investigation. Officials are reviewing in-flight security footage and interviewing additional passengers to clarify the events that led to the altercation.
The case is currently being handled by the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office. No court date has been announced yet.
