Call her the cutest suspected terrorist ever. Little 18-month-old Riyanna and her family were pulled off a New York-bound JetBlue flight Tuesday after the toddler’s name popped up on the ‘no-fly’ list. (CREDIT: WPBF-TV)
NEW JERSEY (TRP)— A New Jersey family was dragged off their New York-bound JetBlue flight after their 18-month old daughter’s name popped up on a no-fly list.
According to officials, the incident happened Tuesday night as the child, identified as Rivanna, and her parents were set to fly back home to New Jersey from Fort Lauderdale.
Don’t let her innocent demeanor fool you, this toddler is a terrorist, that’s according to TSA and JetBlue officials who pulled her off a New York-bound flight Tuesday.
An official with JetBlue reportedly boarded the plane and escorted the 18-month-old suspected terrorist and her parents off.
When asked why they were being booted from the flight, the official said the toddler was flagged as a no-fly.
The girl’s father spoke to local news affiliate WPBF-TV, saying the incident was bizarre.
“It’s absurd,” the New Jersey dad, who asked not to be identified, said. “It made no sense. Why would an 18-month-old child be on a no-fly list?”
It was only after several minutes of ironing out the facts with the TSA and JetBlue officials that the family was permitted to re-board. The family, instead opted out and refused to board, citing that they were targeted by airport officials because they’re of Middle Eastern descent.
“We were put on display like a circus act because my wife wears a hijab,” he told WPBF-TV. “We were humiliated, we were embarrassed, we were picked on.”
While TSA officials maintain that it was JetBlue officials who prompted the incident, the airliner is not taking responsibility.
[via WPBF-TV]
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