A three-yr-aged youngster with autism was allegedly kicked off a flight and subsequently banned by the airline after he refused to have on a mask.
Cebastian Lewis, who is non-verbal, was traveling with his spouse and children dwelling to Chicago with Spirit Airlines when the incident transpired.
His mother Zana Shelton reported a flight attendant stopped them when they have been boarding the aircraft, demanding that Cebastian put on a mask.
“I’m like well he’s autistic and we didn’t have this difficulty coming below,” Shelton informed Fox 32 Chicago. She stated that “they just put him on the autism spectrum. He has sensory hold off and speech hold off.”
Family members members managed to get the facial area masking on Cebastian when boarding the plane, but he swiftly removed it again.
“As before long as he sat in the seat he took it ideal back again off,” mentioned Shelton. “So [the flight attendant] was like, ‘he has to get off.’
“Everybody experienced to deplane and then the police had been called.”
Spirit Airways has accused Shelton of swearing at cabin crew and statements the family members was uncooperative and refused to get off the flight.
Shelton states that, though she cursed, it was mainly because the flight attendant was remaining “very ignorant”.
The carrier stated in a assertion: “Spirit demands appropriate encounter coverings through your overall journey with us.
“The only exception to this plan is small children beneath the age of two.
“Any other guest who is not able to have on an ideal deal with masking for any reason, including health care, will not be permitted to travel with us at this time.”
The airline refunded the family’s air fare, but yet another shock awaited them.
A several days right after the incident, two letters arrived from Spirit Airlines, just one tackled to Shelton’s sister, the other to three-calendar year-outdated Cebastian himself.
The letters banned the toddler from flying with the airline due to his failure to comply with its confront-masking plan.
Spirit has given that reported the letter to Cebastian was a blunder.
The Independent has contacted the airline for more comment.