Mom speaks out after 12-year-old daughter went missing after flight l GMA

Monica Giliam's daughter flew from Tennessee to Miami on American Airlines, but received a call that her daughter was missing before the girl eventually connected with her father at baggage claim.
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#GMA #Travel #MissingChild #AmericanAirlines

[@lizziehan13]

My daughter has been flying solo for years (15 now), I feel like the missing piece here is the mother instructing her daughter on what to do...don't leave the plane, stay in your seat until everyone exits and wait for the flight attendant. Also when my daughter was younger, I was in constant contact (text me when you land), and I would follow her via text throughout the process until she was with the adult on the other side. Maybe her daughter isn't quite ready for the responsibility of solo travel.

[@lizziehan13]

@@chokingonflowers Haha, bash her? I'm not saying the airline didn't drop the ball, they did...but there is another side to a child flying as an UM and that is making sure you prepare your child and instruct them on what to do if XYZ happens, this girl was clearly not prepared.

[@kalesmonroe2556]

@@chokingonflowers LOVE THE CAPS...however every single airline states on their website that it is the responsibility of the receiving parent to obtain a special pass to meet the kid at the gate. The dad should have gotten there super early to fulfill this duty. Also the kid is usually told when they sit down to wait for everyone to depart and someone will escort them off the plane...maybe this kid didn't listen to that. Who knows? Anyway the airline should not have to pay a dime.

[@kathydelarosa1286]

@@chokingonflowers oh my goodness, relax you look crazy

[@nonchalantnell]

Thank you! As a flight attendant, I have had UM’s literally run off the plane and we CANNOT step off while there are still passengers. If I tell the gate agent and they refuse to do anything, there is literally nothing that an FA can do. The full story definitely isn’t being told.

[@kalesmonroe2556]

@@nonchalantnell They should not get one single dime.

[@anonymityismyname]

Mom says "how do you lose an unaccompanied minor" Good question Mom; How did you lose an unaccompanied minor?

[@roxtar38]

I'm old. Back when flying was special, I flew alone at ages 9 and 10 to visit my grandparents over the summer...Florida to Ohio. I wasn't scared, the attendants took very good care of me, and it was also when your family could meet you at the gate (pre 9/11). My kids are adults but I probably would be too nervous to do this with them when they were kids. Not only is the world a different place but airports and airlines are simply a disaster. Customer service is often non-existant, and airlines don't care about customers anymore.

[@roxtar38]

@JahGirl I remember the wings. It WAS exciting back then. My wife and I are a few yrs off from retirement but want to leave the US for more sun, sand, seas. How long have you lived and Belize? We been "window shopping" the Caribbean, but want to avoid the hurricane belt. We have been ruling out various locations from recent travels/vacations.

[@AshMc1970]

I also feel like kids were much more mature back then. Perhaps it’s because we were allowed much more freedom and responsibility’s, than kids do today? Fortunately, we didn’t have to worry about self righteous passengers causing a scene either. In todays world you couldn’t pay me enough to be a flight attendant or a teacher. It seems like the days of respect and common courtesy have gone out the window. We are currently living in what I call the Veruca Salt era

[@chrislim7976]

Your child is ultimately your responsibility not some airline. The fact this "mother" decided to go on television and cluelessly embarass herself tells you all you need to know.

[@pamelasmith6221]

Yep. I’m always skeptical when people go on tv like this. So I decided to go and see what American Airlines website had to say about unaccompanied minors. Very interesting and everyone should read it. Basically all the airline really does,after landing, is escort your child from their SEAT to the authorized adult who is picking them up AT THE GATE. That’s about a two to three minute walk, if that. So, minors board EARLY and mom was allowed to accompany her to the gate and I believe on the plane so that they can meet the crew and get instructions etc. They are told that upon landing to REMAIN in their seat. Once passengers are all off THEN the attendant will come get the child. Mom admitted her daughter was supposed to stay but she saw the others and followed. Mistake. All those people getting off I can see how she wasn’t noticed. They also stress that flight attendants are busy and can’t continuously monitor the child. They also suggest being in constant contact with your child and have an app or notifications from the flight so they know what’s going on. The person picking up (dad) should arrive two hours before. He got their late. This allows him time to get through the airport with a security pass and reach the gate so he can get her as soon as she comes off the plane. He wasn’t there. It’s literally door to door service because mom gets her directly on dad directly off. They only time she’d be out of their site would be while she’s inflight. Honestly I don’t think the airline is to blame. As a parent if you are that petrified of child trafficking or other harm, you have to make sure your child understands exactly what they are supposed to do. Who they can talk to. To call mom or dad right when she lands so they can “be with her” and make sure she’s ok, also she should have been told that her dad would be right there at the gate. Instead she wandered into the airport and met dad at baggage!!! I think mom should be more upset with dad for being late. Had he been at the gate none of this would have happened. Like you said the child is your responsibility. This wasn’t a private escort who accompanied her on the flight. They just make sure she gets off the plane and to the correct person.

[@chrislim7976]

@@pamelasmith6221 Agreed but parenting and policy aside, you still would think one flight attendant would at least watch out for a little kid when landed; assuming someome on staff knew she was boarding by herself. If she actually was allowed to walk out and got abducted or hurt I think the airline would have a problem.

[@FVWhimsy2010]

Not true...the airline has an unaccompanied minor fare/ticket and are totally responsible.You on the other hand are ignorant.

[@v1111.]

Exactly like wtf

[@mads1864]

You do realize, unaccompanied minors are an extra expense right, as if the mother was paying for childcare, so yes it is the airlines responsibility. But at the same time the child should have stayed on the plane.

[@whiteraven69]

The airlines should shut down the unaccompanied minors which they currently provide “ gratis “for parents .Flight attendants and other employees are not child care attendants and the liabilty is placed on the airlines , which these days is struggling to just provide service for increasingly violent and unruly passengers. Than the airlines is paid back by bad press when that one child goes missing ….we never hear about the thousands of children who travel without an issue .

[@BarbieAngiee]

Actually it’s not “gratis” it’s an additional fee parents pay to ensure they are taken care of.

[@msperez1234]

Yup it’s not free, there is a fee for that service…

[@KC-ki9uj]

They PAID for that service to baby sit doofus

[@alleyallen5537]

You sound ignorant.

[@mads1864]

Right, as other people have said there are fees for this. I can think of divorced parents in which this is necessary. At the minimum, airlines could hire people specifically for that service instead of relying on other people. To the same degree, however, services like this have been around for years and they are responsible for the wellbeing of that child on the flight. Just as if you dropped them off to daycare since it is an extra expense. I see no difference.

[@janeoleary8454]

I was a Flight Attendant for 53 yrs. We always told the UMs to stay seated and NOT get off the plane without one of us

[@briaangelle]

Well this flight attendant didn’t, and even waved at the girl as she walked out.

[@janeoleary8454]

@@briaangelle was the UM fee paid. 12 is old enough to fly alone. I don't know

[@KP-rh5qz]

That’s what I remember when I flew alone. I was wondering why she didn’t follow the protocol.

[@discerningtruth6848]

This could've gone in another direction...especially when there are sex traffickers waiting for the opportunity to galvanize on loss children. I'm certainly glad the outcome of the family ended on a positive note.

[@bkm2797]

Thinking the airlines should scrap the program, especially these days! At best offer a sitter service and get ready to shell out some dollars!

[@ElleSaw]

Why are children allowed to fly alone? That shouldn't be allowed in the 1st place.

[@finallyanaccount]

If your child is flying alone, you have to give him or her instructions on what to do or what not to do. I can imagine it would be hard for the flight attendant to keep track with all the passengers disembarking at one time. Especially if only a certain attendant is assigned to the minor. The attendant who waved goodbye probably was not assigned to the child and could possibly have been waving out of routine.

[@michellelaryea5403]

or they:)

[@sophierector7344]

Geez, we have created such helpless kids it’s sad. I started flying alone after my parents divorced when I was 9! Had layovers and everything all without a cellphone or a flight attendant to guide me or guard me. In this day and age, I agree this was a parent fail. Teach your kids how to fly, what to do, where to go, etc. The airline will allow a parent, this dad for instance, to get a pass through security to go pick up his unaccompanied minor. They obviously didn’t check on that out, or he could have been waiting at the gate and this never would have happened. My own son has flown unaccompanied with no issues (even without a cellphone) because we had a guardian at the gate drop him off and one picking him up. Still impressed the airline is apologizing for this.

[@katemiller7874]

I hate to tell you but your mom and dad were lazy morons. 9 years old how foolish

[@MrReaperofDead]

@Sophie Rector Ok boomer.

[@daynacjones]

At 12 she should have had sense to communicate with flight attendant. I blame the mom for not drilling in the order of operations to girl.

[@wownewstome6123]

You didn't mention the father who wasn't there to meet his child. Mistakes by all involved.

[@Lila9769]

She’s a teen… it’s the fight’s fault how would she know?

[@bryanjackson405]

After what happened to the girl at the Dallas Mavericks game I dont see how anyone can let their daughter out of their site in public. Let alone them flying by themself!!! F'd up world we live in where you cant let your daughter our of your site for 2 seconds due to how bad sex trafficker's are getting in the world. These people should be strung up by there balls when caught!!

[@pamelasmith6221]

Sight not site

[@skontheroad]

Their not there.

[@Hopeless_and_Forlorn]

Testicles not balls.

[@davidboeger6766]

Fucked, not F'd

[@lahijademanolo4210]

Out not our

[@christopherpatzke3090]

First of all the parents should have either accompanied her or given her clear instructions. Secondly she’s 12 years old not 5. She should be able to take care of herself in this situation. All in all it is the parents responsibility.

[@pamelasmith6221]

I think she probably did handle it just fine. Aside from getting up out of her seat when she was supposed to stay and wait for an attendant to come get her per the airlines instructions. A 12 year old should be able to understand that. Her mom even said her daughter knew that but she saw the other passengers leaving and decided to go with them. Who knows? Maybe she thought it was cool being in the airport by herself. The kicker is that, per the airlines unattended minor instructions, the authorized adult (dad) picking up the child needs to get there early, get a security pass (not sure if he did) and meet her at the GATE! He was late and didn’t meet her at the gate. So I think moms a little upset with dad and unfortunately she’s taking it out on the airline. They are not babysitters and all they were supposed to do is escort her from her seat to her dad at the gate. She wasn’t in her seat (mistake number 1) and dad wasn’t at the gate(mistake number 2). The attendants are busy getting people out and off the plane. That’s why they require the child to wait. It’s all in their instructions so I don’t think mom will be winning any lawsuits.

[@juliehecht6603]

10 years ago, and still haunting me. I boarded a southwest flight by myself and the flight attendant asked if I would take the aisle seat next to two young girls (6 and 8). They were sisters whose mother boarded them in Philadelphia to go visit their father in Las Vegas. When I asked them why they were crying they said because they didn’t want to visit their father. They then proceeded to eat all the junk food in their backpacks and passed out from a sugar high for the rest of the flight. I so wanted to take them home with me as I felt so sorry for them. I felt like it wasn’t fair that they should have to travel such distances, scared and by themselves because of their parents divorce. I was so glad I was the one who sat down next to them because it could have been someone who took advantage of the situation….

[@daizy6729]

Poor things, breaks my heart. These are parents who care about themselves more than their kids. Money, job, car, new partner should not matter.

[@roxyblaire1278]

As kids, my mother moved the three of us from California to Texas. We cried because we had to fly unaccompanied to see our dad and we were going to miss our mom and our friends. We made it clear that we didn't want to visit our dad since we thought it would be boring. We had the most wonderful summer and I didn't want to return home. Children frequently travel, and my mother made the proper decision to relocate to Texas when she acquired a great job there. As terrible as it may be, many parents are divided by cities and states. That's all right. Sadly, parents are forced to decide between supporting their family or relocating far for work.

[@Sosofloflo]

😂 come on. There are children traveling by canoe in deadly rivers to get to school. The world is full of children in scenarios much worse than two spoiled children who get to fly across the country by themselves with a backpack full of sugar

[@beckycastile6896]

Geez it makes you wonder what the father's doing to those two little girls I know if I had two little girls and they cry cuz they didn't want to go see him I wouldn't make them I'd make him come to see them not them go to him and he lives far enough away that they had to fly to get there? What's wrong with parents they just needed a free babysitter or what?

[@sakitoby1581]

But hey, at least their part time parents weren't inconvenienced, so you know, it's all good. Great. Awesome. UGHHHHHHHH Poor kids, fricking raised by wolves. And we wonder why ppl act like such aholes now. Parents need to get it together and remember, THE WORD "PARENT" IS A VERB, PEOPLE!

[@jmay5639]

As a current FA, this happens all the time. We tell the kids at the beginning of the flight to remain seated until everyone is off so we can hand them over. By the end of the flight they just get up and walk off and in the chaos of deplaning the lead FA is saying bye to 200+ passengers and the kid could slip by. One time we had this 6ft 14yo UM who just got up and walked off and we had to chase him down.

[@sakitoby1581]

Flight attendants are too busy looking after the safety of scores of passengers, some of whom are assaulting THEM. They should not have to babysit your child; it's too much to ask.

[@Nikkinoonie]

Omg some of the kids are not well behaved .

[@lizaspeight3112]

He’s doing his job by telling the minors to REMAIN SEATED UNTIL THEY ARE ESCORTED OFF THE PLANE!!! If a child can’t follow those simple instructions then maybe the parents shouldn’t allow their children to fly alone!!!

[@hammertime9989]

How are people allowing their children to fly alone in this day and age?!!!

[@sstirling8816]

This is what I was thinking! Irresponsible parenting in my opinion. I always volunteered to fly with my nieces/nephews when needed. I would have never let them go by themselves.

[@kp5496]

I flew alone with younger than 12 and with no attendant. Read signs like everyone else. Some kids are more advanced than others. The mom should’ve made clear to the daughter that she doesn’t leave the plane and wait for the attendant.

[@ninab9169]

I said the same thing 😣

[@caraalana4478]

I feel like there is missing information here. The fact that the girl 'felt she had to get off the plane', no girlie, sit down until the attendant gets you. I started flying at 5, I'm 47 now, my daughter started flying at 7. Always very strict instructions.

[@priscillawagner6205]

Shows how unprepared and uninformed the girl was. Mo. Should have prepared her better

[@noirefit5954]

I just don’t understand parents that let their child fly alone. I just feel like that’s irresponsible. It’s such a big task for a young person

[@vickimarlette4009]

Which is WHY it was worth the EXTRA $50 to ensure my Granddaughter(14 1/2yo) was PERSONALLY ESCORTED by the Flight Attendant who met us at PRE-BOARDING! She was then escorted to her next gate, at layover, and was handed DIRECTLY TO the Flight Attendant on her connecting flight. THEN, at her destination, that Flight Attendant stayed with her until her Mother got to Baggage to claim her, and her luggage! Mother had to show her ID, AND Flight Attendant then verified with my Granddaughter that her Mother WAS, IN FACT, HER Mother, BEFORE the Flight Attendant let her go! Come on PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS…Aren’t your BELOVED CHILDREN WORTH $50??🤷‍♀️🤨

[@DJcyberslash]

Why are you sending your 12yr old flying alone???

[@BM-di9wz]

Girl, no. Stop letting your kids fly alone especially today, airlines are short staffed, attendants are overworked now you want them to escort your kids? Get an airline ticket or have the parent come get them.

[@justmejenny7986]

They pay for this service. It's been used for decades.

[@BM-di9wz]

@@justmejenny7986 Doesn't matter, in this day and age people are creepy also that doesn't change that flight attendants are overworked and short-staffed.

[@justmejenny7986]

@@BM-di9wz well then they should stop offering this service but many people rely on it.

[@blackout07blue]

Maybe get your child to be smarter.

[@mukbangyesplease4905]

I did this once when I was kid, but would I do this now… NO..things have changed so much.

[@latashiamorris7354]

What instructions did you give your child before she got on that plane when flying alone

[@sstirling8816]

Mom should have flown with her or paid someone to accompany her. Or dad could have flown there and fly back with her. If they could not take the time to do that send her with a friend, aunt/uncle or grandparent. Dang parents look at after your kids.

[@Yolpecharalim]

This was a culture shock for me and still is. To drop ur kid off like that with no one to accompany her is just crazy. I get it if she is an adult, but this isn't the case. U can ask the airport, the airline, or security to tighten their policy all u want, ur child is gone forever should anything happen to her. There are a lot of crazy people out there, and this frightens me.

[@vrprecious506]

Exactly!

[@kristinn3367]

That’s not how it works. If a child is flying alone, you pay a fee to have an airline employee escort your child from drop off to the plane, and then off the plane to an adult picking them up at the destination. You don’t just drop a 12 year old at the curb and that’s not what happened here. The expectation was that the child would not be allowed to get off the plane alone.

[@Yolpecharalim]

@@kristinn3367 Yes, I know u are paying for ur child to be escorted. What I am trying to say is there are parents who just drop off their kids at the airport and just let them go from there. Although it did not happen here in the video, it does not mean everything is okay. I can see ur confusion because I am mixing other scenarios with this one. My point is if there is stuff like this happening out there, what will happen to those kids with little supervision or no supervision at all? It is not like ur child is 100% safe because airline employees are looking after her. This video is proof.

[@mrjamila88]

I know. Maybe cause I’m latina or just my family we raised to always keep eye on your kid. I still don’t understand how some parents let their kid fly alone. It’s weird to me. Maybe I’m just overprotective of my kids but just do many crazy people out there I don’t trust them.

[@katemiller7874]

Exactly. Good parents don’t do this

[@PLUNDERTrueCrime]

Thank God she’s not really missing like I assumed

[@lauraconlon9800]

Right?!! Kind of Clickbait……

[@kristinn3367]

Am I the only one who doesn’t see what the big deal is? The girl had a phone. Just tell her to go to the nearest desk and ask an employee to take her to baggage claim. It’s not like she was put on the wrong plane and sent to a foreign country.

[@GrrlonFire76]

Seems to me this 12-year-old did not know the plan after she was left to board the plane and what to do in order to meet up with her father. Luckily, she had a smartphone to figure it out and connect with her father. I flew unaccompanied as a child, once when I was 11 years old. I knew exactly what the plan was to follow, and what to do in case of emergency if I was left unescorted by the airline employees. I studied the layout of the airports and where to go in case I got lost prior to boarding, and this was before smartphones and Google. I was able to solve any issues I experienced being fully prepared. Parents should not send their children flying unaccompanied if their child does not understand the travel plan, the layout of the airport, where to seek help, and what to do in case something goes wrong. The young girl should have known from her parents when the flight attendant did not personally escort her/connect her with an escort that she should have stopped and said something then, not wander the airport lost.

[@corazonazultw]

Why on earth a parent would send a child to fly on her own and then blame the airlines for not taking care of her?

[@davidboeger6766]

It's actually quite common and has been for a long time. The parents might be divorced, working in different cities, have different citizenships, etc.

[@soupnfresh]

That's what they were paid to do. Duh!

[@zarajay6604]

The airline policy was to escort minors to their gate but they didn't in this instance

[@backagain5216]

That’s the world we live in. “Somebodies, anybodies job but not mine.”

[@backagain5216]

@@davidboeger6766 You didn’t answer the question. Who care what the reason is but to assume that strangers have a duty to do your work is pretty arrogant.

[@gasparma2316]

How are you gonna let your child fly alone ? I wouldn’t let my child travel across states

[@kalesmonroe2556]

If your "child" is 12, then good luck having him or her do anything in life....he/she will be scared to do anything but it's your kid so you do you.

[@res887]

Mom said: Her dad guide her to safety, aka follow the exit/ baggage claim signs, so horrifying walking in the airport terminal as a 12 years old.

[@kalesmonroe2556]

Really? I could have handled walking through and airport at that age....but then again, times have DEFINITELY changed. The kid did not even ask for help from someone at a counter which is really sad to me....At 12 she should have had the maturity to know something like that.

[@velvet123]

But yet the dad could have picked her up from the gate she was coming from. You don’t have to have a flight attendant do that though.

[@sarahsiffel3298]

She is 12 yo (old enough), she KNEW an employee should've been with her. She KNEW she should've waited until everyone else got off. Its the same process with disabled people, they WAIT until everyone else deplanes and THEN they get assistance. You can't just walk with off the plane with 200+ other people and expect them to know which specific child is the unaccompanied minor. Take responsibility.

[@kas_xo]

I think you're overestimating how old 12 really is. She's still a child and a busy, chaotic airport and plane ride can get anyone a little confused.

[@bkm2797]

12 is old enough to stay seated until you can get the attention of a flight attendant! The parents did not do their part instructing this young lady befor the flight!

[@jessicamarie8299]

She’s still a child you bird

[@sabrina.natalie]

The comments blaming the mom is extremely pathetic and disrespectful. It was NOT the mom’s fault, and she shouldn’t be shamed. Airlines have policies and producers dealing with unaccompanied minors all the time, and they had a responsibility to ensure that the policies were followed, and that the little girl made it safely to her father. Yes, flight attendants and pilots - and other airlines staff - have dealt with complete chaos for the last two years, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that she was left alone and unable to be located. Put yourself in the mom’s shoes and imagine how you would have felt, if your precious baby couldn’t be located. It would have been agonizing, no doubt.

[@backagain5216]

It is the mothers fault. The staff are overworked as mentioned.

[@Emily-nf9kf]

@@backagain5216 it's literally part of their job. this is a paid service which means the parents paid for it, it's not complimentary or anything. it's not a difficult task either

[@backagain5216]

@@Emily-nf9kf There was a time when mothers could look after the kids, cook, clean the house, etc. I know several men that in addition to working full time, do 80-90% of the household tasks. Today, it’s on KZbin all the time about the mother leaving the infant alone in a vehicle while they shop at Walmart. I can only assume this service began because of much lobbying and whining from a lesser grade of mothers today.

[@nancydrew1102]

Exactly why is cost for the service, I’d be sueing so they don’t do it again in a hurry .

[@gennaterra]

YOU CALL THAT A MOTHER? WHAT NORMAL PARENT WILL DO THAT? A SELFISH ENTITLED ONE? ONE WHO EXPECTS OTHERS TO DO THE PARENTING FOR HER? LET'S INCLUDE THE FATHER.... SHAMEFUL EXAMPLE OF PARENTING.... SO TAKE YOUR.... KAREN... ELSEWHERE!

[@deeshan9844]

Seriously lady, these flight attendants have gone through enough after the last 18 months, it's not their job to babysit too. My mom would've never put me on a flight by myself at that age. She should've told her daughter to wait until everyone deplaned and then asked someone to escort her to the arrivals area if she was that concerned...and also maybe get her an AirTag.

[@backagain5216]

Another “great” mother that thinks it’s the worlds job to do hers. There was a time when no bond was tighter than mother&child. Not anymore! Btw she is not a lady.

[@justmejenny7986]

Let me educate you. This is a service that the airlines offer and you pay for it. So stop talking about things that you obviously don't understand.

[@Emily-nf9kf]

it literally was her job, she was assigned to this child to escort her to the plane and then to the gate to her father. the flight attendant knew she was assigned to this child. the parents paid for this, it's not some free service or a favor.

[@deeshan9844]

@@justmejenny7986 Maybe you should educate yourself Jenny. The service clearly says that the flight attendants can't continuously monitor the minor, and it is not their job to escort him/her to their waiting guardian. An airline rep is supposed to meet the child at the gate, and it's the parent's job to remind their child to wait for a uniformed team member to escort them off the plane. Unfortunately this woman's daughter felt like she was supposed to get up and exit with everyone else. Not the airline's fault.

[@justmejenny7986]

@@deeshan9844 it's definitely the airlines fault. They left her alone. They were paid to watch over her. It's not hard to understand it.

[@anchenishsimba3275]

The entitlement of this lady is beyond

[@cmldzab9438]

I think it was back in 2009 when traveled alone when I was 11…. It was me and one of my friends who was 12. An agent helped us at every stop. There was always someone waiting for us to get us from location to location. They briefed us that we had to wait until everyone left the plane to leave ourselves as there would be an agent at the door to help us. They should have briefed this young girl as well…. They repeated the same thing to us over and over to make sure we knew. It was annoying but we knew why to do. They should have done the same thing for her.

[@sshukla7975]

How great parents are they? Wow, I have been raised differently. My parent always accompanied us, even if that meant taking day off from work. We were important for them more than jobs, money and time. I don't know what can be more important than a kid a life that you created. Handover to total unknown strangers, she didn't end up on some sex sites that's luck. A 15 year old went to bathroom in an arena, without her parents and under the nose and security present you would think she was safe. Nope, human trafficked in a split second ended up in a hotel in Oklahoma and on sex site. Not old just 25 days old news. Shout out to these parents for being so brave, wow.

[@Megz1794]

But like the mom said her daughter did what the dad said since the dad meet her at baggage claim so she did eventually find her dad. There’s just the fact one of the airline attendants didn’t escort the kid to the dad like they should have

[@lilmizeezee8350]

Normal in usa mostly for children go on their own .....

[@markovujanic3195]

Dude as a grown adult it’s fucking nerve racking. Why would you let a child go alone. ???

[@MsRotorwings]

The girl is 12. She could’ve simply asked a flight attendant or gate agent for assistance.

[@waynesonneman7343]

I think they need to tighten their own rules on better parenting!! Oh wait it’s everyone else’s fault now days.

[@letty4558]

I am sorry about this but mom should have flew with the child, I was asked to send my daughter out of town without family once and I said absolutely not. Either her mother or father go or she will not.

[@nillyk5671]

Both sides made mistakes. The flight attendant didn't keep an eye on the child and the child was too shy or too naive to speak up and her mother didn't give her proper instructions.

[@KarenPatrol123]

It’s the parents responsibility, no one else is watching your child like you would. Simple! Teach your daughter simple instructions.

[@michaelcharlesthearchangel]

What happened to mercy? Is it possible no one is to blame since it was an obvious mix up? Otherwise everyone is to blame.

[@drbarafoo7208]

It's shameful that this happened and I'm very happy nothing foul came about but these two parents are the same people screaming at and threatening teachers and school board members about "parental rights" and "parental decisions".

[@cestlaguy]

How do you know that?

[@AA-qt1hi]

Scary for the girl. Did the mom or dad prime the child what she is to do before getting on the plane? I didn't hear mom start with that. At least dad got on the phone with her. Mom just seems to be making it about the flight attendents screwing up and not communicating with the child the whole time. Unescorted is what they decided....so i would think that she'd have her child get on the plane ... have her get the a flight attendants attention and touch base with them before takeoff like her " Mary... Daniel...this is my baby... look after her for me" . Don't relinquish that parental responsibility fully at any time... relax it but keep a look out for your child always.

[@aa777flyer]

Back when I was 12 I was going to Chicago from Los Angeles and my parents literally dropped me off at the front of the airport and said bye have a nice flight.

[@gennaterra]

Excuse me... any chance you remember how security has changed since 9/11? Or should we see more planes crush into buildings just to SATISFY LAZY UNSKILLED PARENTS WHO EXPECT OTHERS TO DO THEIR PARENTING FOR THEM?

[@yo_who]

I don't get that, I flew from Tucson to Oklahoma city alone at the same age and didn't have any problems with being "lost" nobody was there shadowing me around the airport.

[@LilliLamour]

I was 12 when I flew by myself for the first time and I followed every direction my mother gave me even though the flight attendant was mindful of my well being. The only reason my mom allowed me to fly alone was because she knew if the attendants didn't follow through I'd step up check off all of her directives.

[@autumn1847]

This has been happening, I almost got left in Seattle (omw to Anchorage) at 5 or 6 years old smh. Then as soon as I turned 12 it was “up to you”. I remember panicking in the Baltimore airport trying to find my connecting flight alone & thank god a nice stranger helped me (it was night time & no workers were in sight as far as I could tell) but Jesus Christ. Why tf are 12 year olds treated like that in airports? It should be a law that all unaccompanied minors have one staff person to guide them through/ seat them at their designated seat on the plane & call ahead to their next airport to ensure another person takes over & does the same.

[@katemiller7874]

My gosh nothing happened to you. Baltimore is Pitts. Your mom was nuts

[@vickilssrb4405]

Back in 1972, my older brother (12) decided that we needed to go explore O'Hare on our own, so we ditched our airline "escort". 😀 But things weren't as scary back then so it wasn't a big issue since we made it onto our next flight.

[@briancarter4950]

It’s not there child, really. If you want to keep your children safe, fly with them! Everybody wants someone else to raise their kids and care for them, Doesn’t work that way

[@jingjing525]

My mom needs assistance too and they didn’t have anyone when she arrived in the States from overseas. I had to guide her through the airport as she was somewhat disoriented. It’s lack of personnel.

[@gatvreality]

The airline is lucky this story had a happy ended to be honest. Do better American Airlines!

[@Sarah-rk5hz]

I also think a 12 year old should have been told by her mom to stay on the plane or ask an attendant for help bc there are people when you get off and all throughout the airport in security. I know ifs scary for them but she should have been briefed better by her parents.

[@blahblahblah8914]

what if the child dont have a phone..this is unacceptable

[@cocosurgerow]

The airlines charge extra fees for unaccompanied minor, and are responsible for child to adult pick up with ID.

[@tru3293]

I was 12 when I traveled alone from NY to Florida and the only time I ever saw a worker was when they showed me to my seat. This is nothing new.

[@SuzyQ77]

The MOTHER should have a tracking device on the phone! Tell your child to NOT leave the area gate after getting off of the plane but to ask an employee to escort you. If one is not available then ask for a supervisor but under NO circumstances go alone! PARENTS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN, NOT BLAME THE AIRLINE! TEACH YOUR CHILDREN! WARN YOUR CHILDREN! PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN! Also there are cameras everywhere, ppl don't just "go missing" in an airport!!!

[@Kilmaurs09]

I feel bad for the kid, not just because of the airline, but because she has to hop on a plane to see her dad.

[@micheleyahiku3020]

What happened is unacceptable

[@susisiebert5942]

Oops! But seriously the Dad got a hold of her right away by phone, my child got lost in a mall once, I didn’t go on GMA!!! Lol

[@cindys2995]

This could've been WAY worse. IF they paid extra, they should get a full or partial refund because workers should've immediately been looking for her to remind her to wait. Kids are forgetful!

[@sonjabridgeman6454]

Why allow your child to travel alone with all this child trafficking

[@gitaramharack6921]

My daughter traveled UM at age 7. No smartphone then. She was excited to go by herself to see her aunt. I explained to her before hand, and went thru scenarios for safety. I told her to wait for the flight attendant and do not move from your seat. I told her her aunt wud meet her st the gate. I wrote down a few names and phone numbers in case of emergency and put it in her bag and her pouch. That was 20yrs ago though.. air travel on it own is just a hassle and not what it use to be. So it can be scary for all. The end result is positive. She is safe. Im sure the situation will be addressed.

[@leilaniakona7959]

Why would a parent let their 12 year old child fly solo???????????????? Itʻs NOT the airlines responsibility to take care of YOUR child!!!!

[@shellymarquez9320]

Simple solution: Install alarms at the airports and put a tag on children traveling alone just likin the hospitals with babies! The tag can only be placed and or removed by an airline employee once adult picking up child is identified! DUH!

[@accer3001]

The child should be issued with a tag 🏷 by the airline to identify her as minor traveling unaccompanied so as she gets off the plane the attendant can see the tag and advice accordingly

[@snarkycharlies]

Hopefully dad has the kid and it’s just a custody battle situation

[@PRETTYGiRLDRiA]

That's why you should always accompany your child especially in places like that.

[@Sara-pu6ri]

What do you expect from American Airlines?. Better?, I do not think so.

[@Donique_23]

Oh hell no, my heart dropped watching this. With all the sex trafficking happening now, no way. This used to be a safe way for your kids to travel but even my 18 year old I don't even want to send anywhere alone. Scary world

[@shalimarie9016]

Soooooo parents really allow their minor children to fly across states ALONE? Got it .This is sad .These parents are irresponsible.My God …

[@infinity4evr]

I was 7 when I flew alone for the first time. There was always a flight attendant near by and I was escorted to my family at the gate. The flight attendants were always checking up on me from time to time, so I knew that I was to go with them. That’s the point, isn’t it? To reinforce that you must deplane with a FA beside you. If a child knows that then there is less risk of getting up and leaving with the rest of the passengers.

[@livelovelurk]

seems like the mother did not instruct her correctly, she should've been in full communication with her as soon as the plane landed.

[@zudemaster]

This actually isnt the first time this kind of thing has happened. Won't be the last either. At the end of the day the airlines got your money, they don't give a crap.

[@bkk53]

If you don’t know what we are trained to to with UM’s please educate yourself before you express your opinion

[@damita4336]

Why didn't the unaccompanied minors have paperwork handed to the lead flight attendant... AirTran used to have paperwork follow each minor....

[@nyleah411]

With sex trafficking as prolific as it is, an unaccompanied minor is a target.

[@katiedid1851]

Why didn't crew stop this girl?

[@IaneHowe]

Did anyone explain to the child that she wasn’t supposed to get up and leave her seat before someone came to get her? Don’t send a child alone it’s always a risk them blame others. No outsider comes in to get the child until the flight is empty. So when she left whoever was supposed to get to her missed her.

[@gmom2201]

This is the risk you take when you let your child get on a flight alone. Take responsibility. Drive your child or have the dad come out and get the child.

[@Ms-er1bq]

I really thought this story was going to be about a much younger child and was rather surprised it was about a 12 year old. I could see worrying if she were 5 or 6 or differently abled, but I would expect her not to need much accompaniment on plane rides by age 12. She can read, write, communicate verbally and has a cellphone and could probably drop a pin on her location on Google Maps while surfing Tik Tok. And she should have known by age 8 not to walk away with strangers or make unnecessary conversation. I think this experience was good for her. Now she knows she is capable of taking care of herself if she gets lost. No need to panic. Just use your head and find your way home. A very important skill.

[@Kellytallent23]

Parents responsibility.. NOT anyone else. Go with them to there destination…stop blaming others.

[@valoriegordon7362]

Mom's fault too. Soon as plane lands she should have been talking to her daughter on her cell phone. People blame everyone but themselves..and YES, both my son's flew unaccompanied frequently before cell phones but I communicated with the adults responsible for picking them up making sure they were there before arrival and departure time.

[@Allinmyworld]

Yeah, something isn't right here. is this her first time flying alone? Dad should have went to the airlines and told him he's picking up an UM and they would have taken him to the gate. You don't have to wait at baggage claim. And airlines also asked for emergency information of parents and people who are picking them up including addresses, and phone numbers. Parents should have done a better job of prepping this girl. Sounds like she didn't listen to directions.

[@justt9507]

this happen to my niece 2 years ago. she was same age. She went with another passenger to the outside pick up. I didn't even think getting after the airline but they could clearly see that there is a child by themselves the whole flight common decency should help that child off the plane and have them sit at the gate or make sure there's a plan in place in that the child knows they're in the air for all that time they have time to discuss it. if we seen a child lost in the store wondering around we wouldn't just let them wander out of the store why would we let them just wander off an airplane and a whole new state it is so easy to get lost there

[@barb2954]

My so flew once by himself to see his grandparents. He boarded early but at the destination he was the last to get off. The staff have other people they need to get off the plane before taking someone out to find a receiving adult

[@bkm2797]

Sorry, but this child is 12 yrs. old-old enough to follow instructions that the parents should have made sure she understood. Don't blame the airlines on this one! If her parents were really concerned they should have dotted all their i's and crossed their T's. Harsh reality, they dropped the ball, not the airlines!

[@Blaccsparrow]

Ok so if she's UNACCOMPANIED then ya you can't exactly be mad. If it's that much of an issue then go with them next time.

[@beccalove8791]

Mistakes happen in every profession

[@specialagentweener1073]

This was super misleading...It sounded like the kid was still missing.

[@debbiiesiken2686]

I guess I am just a very protective parent...I would never let a 12 year old fly alone. What happens if the plane has problems and has to divert somewhere else? I did childcare when I was 12, but it was really close to home and my Mom was a phone call away if I needed help. Even back then there is no way she would have put me on a plane by myself. Just like I would have never have let my kinder or 1st grader walk by themselves to school..but I can tell you there are parents that do. There are parents that drop their kids off at the front of school 30 minutes before school starts..young kids...there is no adult supervision. There is daycare, but apparently the parents are not really concerned about the kids safety. Sorry but parents need to start being parents...

[@natalieeubank4533]

But she was not in fact missing, the girl messaged her dad, anyone would be nervous in a situation like that..

[@EricLing64]

How often does this happen? If it's kind of a rarity I think it's just a mistake. Something to be looked into but not too big a worry if the kid at least stays within the airport, I would think there's usually enough staff around they'd eventually ask why there's a lone child just waiting around. Or step in if they scream that someone is trying to drag them away they don't know. Well, I'm pretty sure more than just staff would step in if they heard that. With the advent of cell phones and stuff it should be a bit simpler to get a cheap one to at least have emergency contacts to call or text.

[@missSDW]

They need to start letting parents drop & meet them at the gate like they used to when I was a kid.

[@marthamendoza8640]

How do u send a minor by themselves mom!!! No way in hell!!

[@nancydrew1102]

Horrifying for the mom & scary for the 12 yr such a busy place . Glad she was found . Air NZ are the best service ✈️. All kids flying should have a apple air tag sewn on their out fit . As phones can die or be lost or removed .

[@Lacycsgo]

whats the issue? already sending the kid off to an airport alone might as well teach them how to navigate something other then a mall, face time is the perfect way to do it. at 12 years i find it hard to believe she would let a stranger take her in such a public spot thats FILLED to the brim with sheriffs and security guards, airport employees.

[@MissMecca]

Y’all haven’t learned anything about not securing your own children 🙄.

[@theblondeone8426]

why is this on the news?!

[@velvet123]

Doesn’t the dad know you can actually go through TSA? Be there at the arrival gate to pick up your child or get any trusted family member to do that. You have to check in through the airline where they are coming through first. Give the child’s information and your ID as well cause they will scan it. They will print you a ticket with the boarding gate, go through TSA. Wait for the plane to arrive and get your child. Which is much safer.