A Maryland woman is facing felony child abuse charges after allegedly attacking a boy on a plane on Memorial Day, reportedly in response to him calling her "Miss Piggy" and "fat."
The incident unfolded aboard Allegiant Flight 2885, which was set to depart Orlando-Sanford International Airport for Hagerstown, Maryland, WFTV reported. Passengers had been returning from a holiday trip to Disney World when tensions escalated between 43-year-old Kristy Crampton and a young boy sitting nearby.
According to an arrest report and witness accounts, the child insulted Crampton's appearance and told her she couldn't fit in her seat. Witnesses say Crampton responded by striking the boy multiple times, including hitting his head with a water bottle and slamming it into the plane window.
The child reportedly shielded himself with his arms during the attack. Crampton later told police the boy had been disrespectful and pushed her arm off the armrest, prompting her to "smack" him.
Crampton was arrested at the gate and charged with felony child abuse. A Seminole County judge set her bond at $10,000 and issued a no-contact order with the child. The boy's family declined to give statements to police, but witnesses told authorities the incident went beyond discipline and constituted abuse.
The FBI has been notified of the incident due to its occurrence aboard a commercial flight, and further federal review may follow.
