Hollywood actress Selma Blair was taken into custody following accusations of causing harm to two flight attendants during a journey from Los Angeles to New York. Additionally, on Monday, she faced charges of assaulting a police officer during her transport to the hospital and a nurse upon her arrival.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. ET on Sunday when the Delta Air Lines plane was situated at the gate at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, as confirmed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Both Blair, aged 54, and one of the flight attendants were taken to a hospital for assessment, according to the port authority.
In a statement made by a police officer in charging documents, it was detailed that while securing Blair to a stretcher, she resisted and kicked the officer around the face, neck, and chest, causing significant pain and swelling. Subsequently, a nurse reported being kicked in the chest by the actor, resulting in substantial pain.
Blair faced arraignment on two counts of second-degree assault late on Monday at a court in Queens. During the court appearance, she was visibly emotional, standing in handcuffs and wearing casual attire.
Blair was taken into custody late Sunday night after her plane landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, shown on June 24. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
In her defense, one of Blair’s attorneys, Shawn Barnes, informed the judge that the actions were unintentional. Barnes explained that the actor, who battles multiple sclerosis, had missed several doses of a crucial medication controlling severe neurological symptoms, as reported by the New York Daily News and New York Post.
He further elaborated that Blair, fatigued from a heavy workload, boarded the flight from Los Angeles and experienced a head injury during the journey. These combined factors, along with the effects of altitude, led to a state of severe disorientation and confusion.
The judge set Blair’s bail at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond US and scheduled the next hearing for January. Following the legal proceedings, Blair left the court premises accompanied by her legal representatives.
While details of the in-flight incident were not immediately provided by the airline, authorities, or the FBI, Delta emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive or unlawful behavior, prioritizing customer and crew safety.
According to air traffic communications, the Delta pilot requested medical personnel at the gate to address bite marks and a bloody nose but indicated that ambulances were not urgently required.
The pilot mentioned to the tower that the disruptive passenger had also struck her head, necessitating further checks by medical professionals and involvement with law enforcement.
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