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TSA Regrets ‘Inaccurate Guidance’ Given to Family of Wheelchair-Bound 3-Year-Old Threatened With Pat-Down

Feb. 20, 2013 5:08pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Image source: YouTube

The Transportation Security Administration has issued an apology to the Missouri family that said their 3-year-old, wheelchair-bound daughter was detained and threatened with a pat-down and that they were ordered not to record it.

A TSA spokesman told Fox News the Forck family was given “inaccurate guidance” during a trip through Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on their way to Disney World earlier this month.

“TSA regrets inaccurate guidance was provided to this family during screening and offers its apology,” a TSA spokesman said.

It happened Feb. 9 when Lucy Forck, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, was pulled aside for additional screening. TSA officers told parents Nathan and Annie that they would need to give Lucy a pat-down and swab her wheelchair. When Annie Forck began videotaping what was happening, she was told by an officer that recording was “illegal.” Forck’s footage, posted to YouTube, shows Lucy in tears after the TSA took away her stuffed animal.

“They specifically told me that they were singling her out for this special treatment because she’s in a wheelchair,” Nathan Forck told Fox. “They are specifically singling out disabled people for this special scrutiny. It’s rather offensive to me as a father of a disabled child.”

The agency told Fox that the St. Louis officers acted inappropriately and that passengers are permitted to film TSA procedures provided it doesn’t interfere with the screening process.

Additionally, while Lucy was not ultimately patted down, the agency said the family should never have been told it was going to happen.

“We are committed to maintaining the security of the traveling public and strive to treat all passengers with dignity and respect,” the TSA told Fox. “While no pat-down was performed, we will address specific concerns with our workforce.”

–

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Comments (101)

PoliticallyRightUs.Com
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:04pm
When does this Sh1t stop??????????????????
I hope one of our congressman get a hold of this and take action?!?!?!
In fact I am going to forward this to Darryl Issa’s Office in San Diego, CA and DC as well… I’M pissed!!!!!!

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- spirited
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:46pm
  “TSA regrets inaccurate guidance…”
  >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GUIDANCE ~~> ???
  
  Similarly,
  President Obama called Susan Rice’s
  claims
  –on five Sunday Shows–
  that a video caused
  a “spontaneous”
  uprising in Benghazi
  a
  ~~> “presentation”.
  
  Report this comment
- ALL4FREEDOM
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:00pm
  It stops when WE stop it. The government is now full of subversives. To me, subversion is, at the very least, a misdemeanor, if not a high crime. Why do we not start charging these nutjobs in the courts and tying them up in their own red tape?
  
  Report this comment
- Sparky101
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 9:19pm
  TSA is an example of what happens when we allow our government power it does not have under the Constitution. Power corrupts, and it seems most of these TSA Rambo wannabes are basking in their inappropriate power over common citizens. Ours was supposed to be a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” But the TSA feels that it is a higher power. It does need a lot of work. I’ve personally witnessed them yanking an 80 year old grandmother out of a wheel chair to “frisk” her, while three people back in line was a swarthy Mediterranian man with a very uncomfortable look and darting eyes. See, for all their bluster, they pick on the weak and that makes them feel powerful just like a schoolyard bully. They do need to be contained or stopped. They make honest citizens feel badly and threatened. They are not even good at what they do. Let them go wax the president’s limo, but get them out of our airports.
  
  Report this comment
- TAXEVERYONE
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:55pm
  That is what happens when they hire DMV rejects.
  
  Report this comment
- Macable
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:58am
  Easy answer… This behavior stops when it is either a) completely avoided (when people decide privacy and dignity are more important than flight; and then stop flying in mass numbers—like I have), or b) when it is no longer tolerated and we the people grow a spine, elect officials with a spine, and make government level changes eliminating any opportunity for these warped perverts.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 9:25am
  Washington has grown drunk with power and feels untouchable because those who contribute the most can;t afford to take time from work and family to march to D.C.and physically remove their a55 from Our government. BUT THAT’S WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. Or at the very least a full fledge tax REVOLUTION cut them off from all the check book and radify the Constitution to keep them out of it.
  
  Report this comment
- sharpeye
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:01pm
  I don’t know what is worse. DHS assaulting American citizens DAILY or the American citizens who constantly say we need to contact our elected representatives. They are doing NOTHING!
  
  Report this comment
- jrhtex
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:32pm
  This continues to get more out of control. I travel alot with my wife and (now) 13 month old twins. Every flight my wife gets a pat down while I hold the babies. She is very cute and it seems like everyone wants to rub their hands on her a$$. This is straight up BS. BTW she does not wear a burka or Turban
  
  Report this comment
- jrhtex
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 10:47pm
  P.S. New poster, how do you check threads? Thanks, J.R.
  
  Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:47pm
Drunk with power.

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- Chuck Stein
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:31pm
  Hey, what can you do about it? They are unionized.
  
  Report this comment
- TulsaYeeHaw
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:26am
  If someone did that to my child, I would be in jail for ……….something.
  
  Report this comment
justalilwitchie
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:45pm
As long as people fly this type of thing will continue to happen. My suggestion…stop flying. If you cant get to a place by driving then I guess you just dont go but to put a child through this is wrong.

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- GardenoftheGods
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 7:41pm
  That is exactly what my family has done….we no longer fly anywhere! And we used to travel all over the world; but I’m willing to give up travel to stop the gov’t thugs from touching me or my children. We’re going to Disney soon; but we’re driving. It’ll take longer; but I don’t care #IwontFly
  
  Report this comment
- Obtuseangler
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 8:09pm
  My wife and I have flight benefits through a relative, but every since they pulled me aside and searched me I avoid flying when at all possible. I didn’t appreciate having to grab the wall while being groped, and I don’t like them going through by luggage. We know who is trying to blow up planes, and so does the TSA. It isn’t little girls in wheelchairs. If we have to give up our constitutional rights to privacy and unreasonable searches to fly they can keep their $50 baggage fees and all the rest. I will either drive or stay home.
  
  Report this comment
- TulsaYeeHaw
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:31am
  Amendment IX
  
  The enumeration in this constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
  
  THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SEARCH YOU WITHOUT A WRIT OF WARRANT. Exercising a privelage (flying) does not allow these bastards to demand you give up ANY of your rights.
  
  I would pay to see a parent have this happen to their kid and then kick the holy dogshit out the TSA agent. Then, as a witness, I could say I saw the TSA out of control.
  
  Report this comment
- Bullitt2008
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 11:47am
  I will not fly anywhere unless it would be necessary to visit my Mom in an emergency. My wife and I have ceased traveling to Mexico also.
  
  Report this comment
nachodadi
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:43pm
My heart is broke.

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- The_Almighty_Creestof
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:50pm
  The only way they can fix this is to print out the laws regarding filming in 1′ high letters along with its legal code and display this along all the walls anywhere the TSA. Such as:
  
  “Yes, you may film all aspects of our searches, pat-downs and interrogations…penal code 123-abc”
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:31am
  My heart broke too. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS or THESE PEOPLE. In Tel Aviv, they handle
  security like it is supposed to be handled and look how effective they are. THIS IS LIKE friggin’ Progressive creeps with Marxist agendas trying to put Patriots in “their place” This garbage will go
  on
  UNTIL
  WE
  GET
  A
  REAL
  MAN
  WITH GUTS and INTEGRITY
  IN
  THE
  WHITE HOUSE
  I say man, because I believe it’s a mostly a man’s job… most of the WOMEN of this country have schools to clean up, kids to raise well, homes to rebuild…sure sure sure…work (after your kids start school or teach them at home, Ladies) but our job is re-instating the Spiritual and Moral values into this very, very, very sick society…totally created by our ENEMIES to “rot America from the inside” …damn if they almost didn’t do it…but WE ARE AWAKE and we’re looking for ONE MAN – or SARAH PALIN – who can whip this mess into shape. ONCE WE GET OUR GUTSY LEADER….we get rid of sham operations like TSA!
  
  Report this comment
In the O.C.
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:34pm
Who the HELL HIRES those idiots? Why do they ALWAYS seem like they have no discernable brain activity? Why are they unable to use COMMON SENSE??? Why are they SO STOOOOPID? Such MORONS! Were they DEAF to the cries and wailing of that poor, little, terrified girl? THEY SCARED HER TO DEATH!!! What have we come to? Honest to God – what can be done about this idiocy happening on a daily basis?

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- Micmac
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:44pm
  If you in in O.C., have you gone thru John Wayne lately? Section 8 at work.
  
  Report this comment
- PoliticallyRightUs.Com
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:06pm
  It’s because they are American and white!!! Plain and simple reverse racism!!!
  
  Report this comment
- PoliticallyRightUs.Com
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:41pm
  Well I fired off a letter to Congressman John Garamendi in my district about this… I suggest all of us readers do the same to our congressman/congresswomen and voice our outrage in a tactful way. This has gotten out of control and we need to take action
  Remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
  
  Report this comment
- Lachoneous
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:44pm
  The TSA is trained to be stupid. They teach them that there is no difference between 3 yr old, wheel chair bound children, little old ladies, and middle eastern looking men and women in muslim garb. All under the holy mantel of Political Correctness and Absolute Non-Discrimination. We look like fools to our enemies. Thanks, CAIR!
  
  Report this comment
CHHALL3
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:34pm
TSA seems to have “inaccurate guidance” on the issues that hit the media for the last 7yrs.

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gz22ll
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:33pm
So who is winning in the “War on Terror”? Does not look like the the general public is. On the losing end of freedom and dignity. Foreign entities do not need to have armies to defeat the US we are doing it to ourselves. Every time I fly which is less and less each year I feel such disgust at what I see in the airports from coast to coast. If it actually made us safer I might be able to tolerate it but I can tell as I stand in line we are no safer than we were on 9/10 just trillions poorer and less free.

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What the Heck
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:32pm
What happened to the guy that yelled “You Lie” during Obama’s first speech to congress?
He was a prophet. He should be given the Nobel Prize for Truth!

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VetMike
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:32pm
This is a travesty! Wake up TSA and pull your head out of your fourth point of contact! Every single terrorist act in the last two decades have been committed by Jihadists. There have so many instances of children,old ladies and so forth pulled out and subjected to this sort of crap. But when was the last time a Arab was pulled out? Oh, that’s right . That is racist and profiling.

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What the Heck
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:29pm
Inaccurate Guidance ?? A government Agency?
TSA
EPA
Homeland Security
State Department,
Work place Violence,
You must be kidding.
Unemployment figures,
jobs created,
And the beat goes on, I mean the list goes on.

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- spirited
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:52pm
  Susan Rice’s infatic claims that Benghazi was “spontaneous”
  was later called “talking points”
  and then called a “presentation”
  ~~> by her boss.
  
  Report this comment
lassiegirldawn
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:28pm
Since the dad is an attorney, I hope there is a lawsuit.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:25pm
The TSA is sorry only due to them being challenged and the message being splashed across the media; otherwise the parents would by now have been charged with some crime and duly jailed. This case is one more brutal example of how the TSA is based solely on intimidation and thuggery.

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- RLTW
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:40pm
  Unfortunately by next month this fine American family will be placed on the no fly list.
  
  Report this comment
mcsledge
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:25pm
You can expect a lot worse in the future. Unless you are blind, the government is trying to put a strangle hold on American freedoms (religion, speech, right to assembly, right to bear arms, right to property, right to a trial by jury [call the person a terrorist and deny them legal council indefinitely], etc.

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:24pm
You think you hate the TSA now…..;wait until they begin going to your house looking for guns. Then…you will be able to get even with them in a big way.

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Skeeterhawk
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:24pm
Do you think the TSA in St Louis just missed that training day and the right to video in public or do you think they just do whatever the hell they want to do and intimidate and bully anyone that crosses them? “Inaccurate guidance?” Send out form letter number 3 for that and form letter number 5 for treating the peons, oops, I mean American Citizens, with lack of dignity and respect. Then forget about it. We are Gods.

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servant100
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:23pm
Used to work in the Fed in FAA during the 1990′s…designed and managed construction projects on major airports all over the USA. Part of this was inspecting airport security and compliance. I can categorically state that since 9/11 absolutely NOTHING significant has been done by TSA or any other governmental entity to improve real security at airports in any significant way that I can see.

What I do see is a large group of poorly trained, unmotivated, idiots in uniforms carrying seriously dangerous weapons who harrass airport patrons in every manner conceivable…and frankly, as in this instance (one of a long chain of utter stupidity) exceed the foundations of even the most basic common sense.

Really..how can ANYONE defend…much less conceive of how one could view a 3 year old severely handicapped (and OBVIOUSLY handicapped) child in a fricking WHEELCHAIR as posing ANY conceivable threat to ANYTHING!!

Basic common sense…but police state brownshirts are well known for employing subhuman thugs who display their weapons in nice uniforms to harrass the obviously innocent…while puffing themselves up with their own importance.

REALLY TSA…DO YOU DO ANYTHING..other than earn a paycheck…

WHAT A TOTAL WASTE!!!!

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- Cavallo
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:29pm
  “REALLY TSA…DO YOU DO ANYTHING..other than earn a paycheck…”
  
  They’re really good at molesting children and groping women. They’re pedophiles and perverts.
  
  Report this comment
piper60
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:23pm
My husband is a disabled vet. I refuse to fly, and this is exactly why.

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:22pm
.
I have yet to have had the pleasure of a TSA pat down, but next month I have to fly for the first time sense 9/11. I hope I make my flight because this 6’2″ 225 coonass will have a few issues with that.

And I can tell you, If that was one of my kids. I wonder how much it cost to get your foot out of someone’s A$$?……

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- Skeeterhawk
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:33pm
  Spank
  Be careful. I fly every week and I have seen folks dragged away for just smart mouthing these thugs. I’m not kidding. They will stop you and arrest you. They simply have no fear in their element.
  
  Report this comment
- SpankDaMonkey
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:53pm
  .
  Sketter thanks for the warning, but I’m willing and very able to take that chance to protect my God Given Rights to be safe in my person.
  
  If we would all just stand up for what is right and not give into a few. Thing would make a dramatic turn around, and put us back on the path this country was founded upon Freedom……
  
  Report this comment
- Obtuseangler
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 8:14pm
  You will just be giving them a chance to try out their toys and maybe get a commendation letter. Either comply or don’t fly. I choose to not fly.
  
  Report this comment
- BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 8:30pm
  @spank- video tape what you can and report back. I appreciate the courage you have. My daughter graduates Basic and AIT out of Ft Lost in the Woods, MO in June. Initially, my husband and I were thinking about driving out there, but I am not sure my work can afford my absence for that long and I am worried we may have to fly instead. I hope not, but we will see. It will break my heart not to go. But, knowing the kind of person I am, I don’t want to end up in jail either.
  
  Report this comment
The Big Mick
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:22pm
Unacceptable Response to an Unacceptable series of actions.
The ONLY thing acceptable to ME would be for everyone on the scene and in any way part of the chain of command or decision making and all responsible in any way for the policy and protocols engaged TO BE FIRED!
And THEN rounded up and beaten to death.

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Fubar Frog
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:21pm
Yup, we’ll let them there middle eastern guys with rags on their heads, and their ‘wives’ with the burkas walk right on by, but a three year old in a wheelchair? Shes’ lucky we didn’t do a cavity search!

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aproudinfidel
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:21pm
The TSA is rapidly rising to the top of a lot of people’s most hated list. That won’t bode well for their people when times get tough. Someone should get fired behind this, but, of course, no one will since they are federal employees. Hateful people, hateful department.

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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:16pm
Hey TSA, let me bend over and you can find your apology acceptance up my ****, but you have to get really close and look directly at it.

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nesmond
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:15pm
Too little, too late. You suck and someone, some day will hold you accountable.

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Cavallo
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:13pm
The TSA are vile and evil. I hate every last one of them.

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GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:11pm
Thugs with power….Barry’s army: The worst of the worst….

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- Keatonc333
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:16pm
  I know! i wish i could go back in time to 2001 when the TSA was organized and tell Obama not to do it!
  
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- GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:31pm
  Ohhh….the liberal boy fighting for the honor of his idol, how gay and how cute!!….defending a bunch of abusive thugs with a crook as a leader. Since there is not rule of law with the Kenyan man-child, the TSA became the worst in the last 4 years….that’s why!
  
  Report this comment
- 65Mustang
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:42pm
  KEATON, as much as I hate, literally despise “that man,” I don’t think he was responsible for the TSA agents.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc333
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:48pm
  Haha thanks Mustang!
  
  Report this comment

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