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Kootenai County Sheriff, file
Joe Hundley was charged with assault after allegedly hitting a 19-month-old boy who had started to cry aboard a Delta flight.
A man accused of uttering a racial slur and slapping another passenger's crying toddler during a flight has been fired in the wake of the alleged incident.
Joe Hundley, 60, from Hayden, Idaho, was charged with assault after he allegedly hit the 19-month-old boy who had started to cry during the airplane’s descent, NBC station KARE reported.
According to court documents, the child’s mother Jessica Bennett alleges Hundley leaned over and said, "Shut that [N-word] baby up!" before slapping the child. This caused him to bleed and cry even harder, his mother told KARE.
'Offensive and disturbing'
The Boise Weekly reported that Bennett's story was supported by another passenger who was aboard the Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta on Feb. 8. That could not be independently confirmed by NBC News.
Hundley is no longer working for Idaho-based aircraft component manufacturer, Unitech, its parent company AGC Aerospace and Defense said in a statement on its website Sunday:
“Reports of the recent behavior of one of our business unit executives while on personal travel are offensive and disturbing. We have taken this matter very seriously and worked diligently to examine it since learning of the matter on Friday afternoon. As of Sunday, the executive is no longer employed with the company.
“We wish to emphasize that the behavior that has been described is contradictory to our values, embarrassing and does not in any way reflect the patriotic character of the men and women of diverse backgrounds who work tirelessly in our business.”
In an interview with KARE, Bennett said Hundley appeared intoxicated, accusing him of becoming increasingly obnoxious during the flight.
"He reeked of alcohol," Bennett said. "He was belligerent and I was uncomfortable."
Hundley's attorney, Marcia Shein of Atlanta, has said that her client will plead not guilty to the charge.
Shein told Reuters that she has received hate mail over her defense of Hundley, but added that she believes her client has been misunderstood.
"He is not a racist," Shein said. "I'm going to make that real clear because that's what people are suggesting."
"There's background information people don't know about, and in time it will come out," she said.
The Spokesman-Review newspaper of Spokane, Wash., reported that Hundley had denied the allegations.
“I can only say it’s an absolute falsehood,” the Spokesman-Review quoted Hundley as saying.
Leave a Comment:
I'm not justifying what the gentleman did or didn't do. But we don't really know exactly what happened do we? And anybody can "allege" anything but until it's proven that means little or nothing. And I can tell you as an older Caucasian man (I prefer that term to "white") if I was a busy and harried traveler trying to get through an airline flight I would not want a lady with a squalling, obnoxious two year old to sit down next to me regardless of her race or ethnicity. I would be very annoyed and rightfully so. I have as much of a right to privacy as that lady has to carry around her squalling kid. Maybe even more. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their kids no matter what. If I'm not the parent I don't want to be bothered. And everybody isn't a member of your extended family either. Maybe I'm nothing more than a tired business traveler who wants to get home. I think that's a mistake on the part of the mother and the airline. There was no flight attendant (male or female) to try and fix this situation before it got out of hand? Did the lady with the squalling kid have to sit down next to the gentleman? We'll probably never know. But let's not jump to conclusions based upon the political correctness of the parties involved or the limited information provided in the report. Enough said.
Being annoyed is one thing but would you slap the child? The point here is the assault more so, in my mind at least, than using the n-word towards the child. On top of it, from articles I have read, the child was only crying during ascent and not during the entire flight.
Sorry...that was supposed to be "descent"....
Absolutely correct. Sounds like the woman wants to make some money. Of course, the civil suit comes after she tries to convince a prosecutor to take up this one.. we have no idea what he said or what he did, we just know some woman didn't take care of her child and got mad because someone else got mad.
GET OVER IT girl!
Mr. Plumpe, we do know what happened. He slapped a toddler. No small child should ever be hit, for any reason. We are not talking a mouthy 10-year-old here, the boy is 19 months old, a BABY, for Pete's sake. I hope he goes to jail.
By the way, planes are a form of public transportation. Just as if you are going to a business meeting via a subway, you might stand next to a mother and child. People have the right to bring children on board a plane. If you don't want to sit by a child, drive your own car or rent a private plane.
I travel mre than 100,00 miles a year for work. I chose the job so I jusr have to deal with it. There is no justification for slapping a baby. The flight was nearly over if they were on descent 20 minutes max/ Babies cry beause of ear pain. He was a drubken obnoxious jackass. He should have been arrested and if he was fired it was because the company does not want the liablity of employing some one like this. The mother never said she was going to sue. She indicated that he had made several negative remarks to her already. This man has a previous arest for assault. I bet you he is a chronic alsocholic and is denying what happened becaue he was in a black out. The mother never said she was going to sue. I think she was restrained becuae I am not sure I wouild not have beaten the crap out of him. Not the right course of action but it wiuld have been duffucult not to.
The defense attorney is talking about the idea the guy isn't a racist which in my mind was a minor part of the incident. The major part here was slapping a toddler and with an eye witness, not sure how the defense attorney plans on getting an acquittal. Drunk or not, an alcoholic or not (which I think may be a part of the argument), you don't go around slapping children.
This is another one of those doesn't make sense either but if the guy was drunk sense goes out the window. The toddler was already crying so him to get him to be quiet?????? Sure, that is going to work......
This man is someone's neighbor. The hate that grew in his mind from childhood may have impacted the careers of many young men and women, just because they were unlike him, you know, White. When a person believes he has the right to attack another person, especially a child, that person needs to seek mental health support, and clearly the authorities should be reviewing this person's weapons purchase history. I do not feel sorry for him, I feel sorry for those who had to work with him and live near him. The bigot does not fall far from the tree.
sorry to be the nagging voice of reason here guys, BUT:
Considering how much blacks usually exaggerate their woes and complain bitterly against everyone else.... And, considering some already-obvious impossibilities in the story--such as, he slapped the child and which "caused him to bleed" - SERIOUSLY?? Uhh-being slapped does not cause you to bleed. This is pretty much impossible. You do realize how hard he would have had to slap the kid to cause him to bleed right? I'm talking a punch such as would have brought the attention of 10 passengers and made them tackle him and handcuff him.....Not just a minor charge.
So if lies and exaggerations are already a settled part of this, what makes this different than the woman trying to get rich off the french guy in New York, claiming her tryst was non-consensual?
Not much. Only I suppose the dollar amount this woman requests will be somewhat different.
(Next time I need money, paint me black and sit me next to an obvious rich man on an airplane!! And if he is so unlucky as to say "shut that kid up", let me change the story just ever so slightly but critically, and wait for my windfall!)
He could have had a ring on which cut the child when he hit him. And there were witnesses to this, other passengers intervened.
Wow, possibly the stupidest rant I have heard in a while by @ike-1544036
Hate much?
ike
You are the nagging voice of racism. Next time you have an urge to say something like, "Blacks usually ......", stop -- you are being a bigot.
You even go so far as to make up your own facts about the news story, specifically the part about the child bleeding, then you believe your own version enough to invent some further fantasy about other people (African American, of course), implying that this is all about a law suit.
It's easy, I'm sure, for you to maintain your racist attitudes because if the facts don't fit your picture of the world you just make up your own facts. Brilliant!
Ike - You are an idiot. First, stop with the race baiting generalizations. Second, dork, the mother is white. You are a tool.
The child had a scratch and bled. You may have noticed that the mother is white. That may have upset hism or may jsut be a belligerent jack ass.
His attorney said he's not a racist. Well, in vino veritas, as they say. He called a little child the N-word!!! No matter what is going on, even if something terrible had happened to him to cause him great mental distress, a non-racist wouldn't say that.
and....assuming you are white...if someone called you a "cracker" or a "honkie" - are you going to get all upset about it? I am white...and I really don't care what someone calls me....b/c more than likely...I really don't care in the 1st place what you think....and isn't a word "just a word" ...ala..." a rose is a rose no matter by what name you call it" ?????
example - (from the Simpsons..lol) Bart realizes damn is actually a noun...a word...so DAMN DAMN DAMN....feel offended?
ginter
Just because you are not insulted does not mean that it was not insulting. Just because you do not care does not mean that other people should not care.
btw, if he "reeked of alcohol" as has been reported, why didn't the airlines refuse him boarding?
Is this really the worst of this problem. How about the fact that this scumbag slapped a 19-month old child!!! If this F**ker put a hand on my child he would never have made it off that airplane under his own power. And please, if he is throwing around the ‘N’ word, it’s pretty clear where is racial bias lies.
Probably?
He had NO RIGHT to put his hands on another person's child, especially a toddler. It's no comfort for the kid because of all the stuff they go through during the flight. I bring my laptop, my iPod, or pay to use a Digiplayer to be in my zone just so I don't have to hear the baby crying - most of the time, I try to sleep. He should have been fired.
agreed - he had no right to put his hands on another - child or adult....but...given the planes and trains I have ridden on...crying babies are as offensive as someone yapping loudly on their cell phones...whole issue could be resolved by (1) not flying your kids anywhere and/or (2) having segregated (separated for the racists worry warts out there) - places in the plane for toddlers and their families....and...give anyone around them a discount for having to deal with that crap...
Or it could be solved that way that the vast majority of people "solve" the problem ..... by changing their attitude .... by understanding that tired children cry .... by understanding that when you go out into the world and interact with other people sometimes event occur that are not the same as in your home. Understand if you can ..... otherwise just bite your tongue and tolerate other people ---- almost all other people deserve it.
What a frickin LOSER!
Kids on flights can be pretty obnoxious. This guy probably went too far.
You can't hit a kid, they just scream louder. What was he thinking. No, seriously, as much as I can't stand kids, I would have volunteered to go to court if I saw this happen.
I don't care how fussy my child was being, had that been my kid this person would not be alive to tell about it or defend it! I would be the one having to defend murder charges! People are always bit-cing and moaning about children on planes, but obnoxious entitled adults are ten times worse!
I'm astounded that so many racist cynics post on this board...
...what? That mother just decided to pick on poor old Joe Hundley...
...to accuse him of assaulting her child, and enlisted the aid of another passenger...
...to aid and abet the conspiracy to set up poor innocent Joe ( from racist Idaho)?
You confederate secede-rackas may be in self-denial about the existence of racist acts like Joe's being "realistic"...
...but people of color who have come into contact with the confederate Joe's from Idaho...
...have no doubt that Joe is guilty, and hope it ruins his life, and causes him to eat his 2nd Amendment love-interest...
Funny "people of color" I thought colored people did not want to be referred to as a specific color. But, that is ok when "they" say it is ok. Either - Or non of this pick and choose when the time is right for their specific needs. I wonder why the parents were not charged with "distrubing the peace" I wonder where the security camers were to prove either parties statement, I see security cameras for other issues, or is this "precious child" a racist issue.
A crying child "disturbing the peace"? Get real. It's called life among people. And what "specific color" is "@!$%#"? You seem way too paranoid and way too racist to me.
Hey - Joe is from Virginia - not the north west. We have enough nut cases here. Don't dumping this guy on us.
I am not condoning what this guy did, or said, by any means - it was just plain wrong. Of course the mom is going to say the kid wasn't crying...what else IS she going to say (again, not judging her...I wasn't there).....
Then, there is the other "side" of the Supreme Court waving "bye bye" to corporal punishment (PARENTS being able to physically discipline their kids) - you really didn't hear that much about all of these "school shootings" back then now did you ? Aurora, Columbine, VA Tech, Sandy Hook (ALL with the exception of VA Tech) - MURDERS being committed by kids!
Wonder now, if THOSE kids would have had someone "slap the daylights out of them" - would all of this occurred? Maybe, maybe not....I know for damn sure that my pop and mom slapped and beat the crap out of me when I was a kid....and I own guns...never ever thought about killing someone/shooting someone..
Bonehead beat their kids ...... call it discipline ....... their kids grow up and beat their kids ..... the beat(ings) goes on.
Is it just me or is this a hit reality TV show waiting to happen?
Oh, that guy should have just daydreamed of smashing the parent's head against the floor over and over and over until the plane lands. Get's me through a crying kid.
Santhosha
Seems like you could benefit from some psychiatric help.
Everybody is saying how bad he is, but what about those IRRESPONSIBLE parents, do they get a medal or any type of repremenad for making another person's life untolerable? If they were not allowing that "precious child" to inflict havoc on somebody elses life, I doubt very much if the kid would have been slapped like it was. Maybe they should be sent to parenting school or may be charged with disturbing the peace? And what is all this "black" stuff. Do people not have a right to their opinins or is it a right when others dictate what others say? This does not sound like a "free" America I was raised in. Freedom is speech only if it is approved?
Lisa
Kids cry. Sometimes the parent, no matter what he or she tries to do, cannot stop them from fussing. And exactly what "black stuff" are you talking about ..... the fact that this adult man called a 19-month old child "@!$%#"? Is that what you call "expressing an opinion"? In spite of this guy using a racial epithet towards this child, what he is really in trouble for his slapping the child.
What "freedom" are you talking about, Lisa? The right to slap other people's children? The right to use vile language towards other human beings? Your sarcasm notwithstanding, this really is a precious child ....... and you have a lot of hate in you.
Calling some a nasty word is an opinion. It just happens to be a stupid opinion. Remember - Opinions are like a$$ holes - every body had one and some stink more than others.
This racist crap is total garbage. What does it matter what he called the kid? IF he hit the kid, that is all that matters. What I find surprising is if he did hit the kid,WHY is there not a scratch on him? I can tell you, if someone slapped one of my kids (especially in front of my wife) he/she would be drinking through a straw from a body cast. I find it surprising that the dude hits someones kid and walks away from that without the mother putting a hurt on him.
Let the courts figure it out I guess but seriously, who care is he called the kid by a racist remark? If all this happened as told, the name calling is the small matter.
Gour
It matters, ........ and whether you believe it or not, not everyone agrees with you that the way to handle your issues with other people is through violence. So, in answer to your question, I care what this guy calls the child and lots of other people more civilized than you also care.
don...I know few parents who would sit there and allow someone to assault their child. One of your jobs as a parent is to protect your child If your idea od civilized is allowing some psycho to assault your kids then I would seriously question what you consider civilized.
As to what harmed the kid, was it the slap or what this guy said? Is it somehow not a big issue if he just hit the kid and maybe just swore at him instead of using racist remarks?
Gour
Most parents would shield their child from further blows and move away from the bully. How can you protect your child when you are fighting ...... especially if you lose the fight? It's a time to protect the child, not time to punish the racist child beater.
This may not have been a "big issue" without the slap, but it still would have been a cowardly, despicable act by a racist who cannot hold his booze even with just the name calling.
I do NOT know how the mother restrained herself! I would have asked somebody to hold my son while I beat the crap out of this fool! This story would have had a different ending, if it were my son. "Passenger slaps toddler; mom beat his azz half to death"
So you would leave your child unprotected in order to fight with a drunk ....... not very Realistic, woman.
No, not fight . . . whip his azz. Big difference.
....... and what do you do with your child during this "whip azz"? You continue to defend a stupid idea.
Give a white guy a few drinks, and his inner klansman comes out full force.
That is a stupid remark.
This just shows that Prophet 009 is more racist than the baby-slapper, and ought to be punished more.
I wish a MF would slap one on mine, I would try my best to beat the living hell outta his a**, then calmly wait on the cops!
That old guy should have his nuts shot off with a 12ga breeching round. @!$%#ing @!$%#, Im from the south, born and raised. Father was a DI in the Army. I was taught never to treat ppl like that like the way he did to that kid and his mother.
Now days there are ipods and mp3 players and such to drown out some of it,but there is no excuse for hitting a child. I used to fly a lot and I found a valium before the flight and a good book helped a lot. But I will also say this, people used to take care of their kids a little better. There is a difference between a child in real distress and a spoiled little heathen.
Darkrose
You have no business calling the child a heathen. You don't know if this child acts this way always or if the child was sick, tired, scared ........ whatever. You don't know anything about the parents and therefore do not know if the child is "spoiled."
You were doing fine with your comment until your imagination took over.
his attorney says there is background information that people don't know about but will come out ... yes, just as soon as she makes it up.
This person did what he was supposed to do - try to shut an annoying baby up. I've been on flights many times and crying babies are about as annoying as farting neighbors or smelly seatmates. He should not have been fired from his job but then again I guess his employer was trying to follow the example of Prez Osama to sooth all 'diversity' activists. Crying babies should either be made to sit in the back of the plane or not be allowed to fly at all (like sick passengers are not), instead of being thrust in the middle of innocent and exhausted passengers that are trying to get some sleep.
Sam
Why would this bigot's employer want to have an executive representing the company who is obviously a racist, obviously cannot drink responsibly and obviously lacks self control?
You believe that he "did what he was supposed to do" when he slapped a 19-month old child and called him a "@!$%#." Instead believing that a small child might be tired or exhausted ..... and acting completely normal for a 19-month old child ...... you defend an out of control, educated adult who, like you, has no compassion and is unfit to be out in public with normal people.
President Obama does believe in diversity ...... diversity is the American way ...... your way is un-American.
Sam
You don't quiet a baby by slapping it.
Since only the most ignorant of people would think that would work, I'm guessing you know that and are just fishing.
I travelled a lot with my 2 boys to see their father who was in the marines. If that man hit one of my children, he would have been taken out on a stretcher!!! A baby can't defend himself but his mother can. The mother should have beat him like an egg and demanded they have the police waiting when the plane landed. He really hit that baby hard for him to bleed!!! and he would have so see his blood too! Not to mention when we landed and their father was waiting for us, I would have told him and that marine would have gone ballistic on him too. Semper fi. This man should not work with any human being.
moni
Fight violence with more violence. Teach your children to act uncivilized every time some other person acts uncivilized. Whenever you encounter some adult who lacks self control demonstrate that you also lack self control. When someone else is a bonehead be a bonehead too.
Children under Four should not be allowed to fly anyway!
Denny
That seems like a statement from a person interested only in their own comfort and you don't care that other people are seriously inconvenienced or denied a normal life for your benefit. Learn to live among other people.