MEMPHIS, TN A special needs teenager returning home from a brain tumor treatment at St. Jude Hospital was left battered, bloodied and in jail after an encounter with TSA agents at a security checkpoint.
Its a trip theyve made for 17-years, according to the teens mother Shirley Cohen, but this one was unlike any they had experienced before and hopefully never have to experience again.
Upon arriving at the security checkpoint with her mother, Hannah Cohen, 19, set off a metal detector and was identified for further screening by TSA agents.
They wanted to do further scanning, she was reluctant, she didnt understand what they were about to do, said her mother, Shirley Cohen.
Shirley Cohen, upon realizing her daughters confusion at the situation, attempted to tell the TSA agents that her daughter is partially deaf, blind in one eye, paralyzed, and easily confused. However, police restrained her from doing so, as she was kept away from the TSA agents, according to WREG 3.
The frightened and confused disabled teen not understanding what was transpiring due to her disabilities attempted to flee. She was violently taken to the ground, causing the young woman, who had just finished a brain tumor treatment, to hit her head on the ground.
Shes trying to get away from them, but in the next instant, one of them had her down on the ground and hit her head on the floor, Shirley Cohen said. There was blood everywhere.
The young woman, who should have been celebrating the end of her treatment at St. Jude, was ultimately taken from Memphis International Airport in handcuffs. Terrified and bloodied, she was arrested and booked into jail for the night.
Here we were with nowhere to go, not even a toothbrush, our bags had gone to Chattanooga, said Shirley Cohen.
While all charges against Hanna Cohen were subsequently dismissed, the family has filed a lawsuit against the Memphis International Airport, Transportation Security Administration and the Memphis Airport Police.
The organizations have refused to comment due to pending litigation, but Sari Koshetz of the TSA released a statement that said, Passengers can call ahead of time to learn more about the screening process for their particular needs or medical situation.
Shirley Cohen cant believe that her daughter had to needlessly go through such a traumatic experience after having already been through so much in her 19-years.
Shes 19 but shell always be my baby. Weve been through so much.
This type of reckless behavior is indicative of a system that emphasizes protocol over common sense. Had anyone simply taken the time to listen to the girls mother as she attempted to inform the TSA agents of her daughters disabilities all of this could have been avoided.
Therein lies the true problem with the ever-growing security state in the United States if you only have a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail.
#1: BorisY To: Deckard (#0)
if
you
only
have
a
bell
ringing
fire
truck
you
just
chop
holes
in
people's
roofs
heads
make
America
great
sane
safe
again
love
boris
BorisY posted on 2016-07-01 17:11:16 Reply Private Reply
#2: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
Please. 17 years of airports, at least 17 round trips, 34 TSA screenings, and now she's confused?
"her daughter is partially deaf, blind in one eye, paralyzed ... the frightened and confused disabled teen attempted to flee"
The paralyzed teen attempted to flee? Oh, well. $100,000 will make it all better.
misterwhite posted on 2016-07-01 17:17:00 Reply Private Reply
#3: Deckard To: misterwhite (#2)
Right on cue.
Sick fucking bastard.
The girl has a brain tumor, what makes you think that "confusion" wouldn't be related to that?
Nah - it's just how you are programmed to respond - always defend armed agents of the state whether they are local cops or Feds and find a way to blame the victim.
Deckard posted on 2016-07-01 17:19:38 Reply Private Reply
#4: Stoner To: Deckard (#0)
But then the "hero's" would not have been able to exercise/demonstrate their machoness.
I hope the poor girl's medical condition was not enhanced. I hope all those assholes are stripped of everything they own, and spend the rest of their days eating in dumpsters!
Stoner posted on 2016-07-01 17:20:53 Reply Private Reply
#5: Deckard To: Stoner (#4)
These are the room-temperature IQ morons who are on the front line, "keeping America safe from terrorism".
If she had been wearing a hajib, do you think the same thing would have happened?
More info from another source: TSA sued for beating deaf, partially blind teen recovering from brain surgery
The lawsuit claims before Hannah had brain tumor surgery at St. Judes hospital, she already had a physical and mental impairment that substantially limit one or more of her life activities.
More particularly, the lawsuit continues, [Hannah] has damage from radiation and removal of a brain tumor that substantially limits her ability to speak, walk, stand, see, hear, care for herself, learn and work, think, concentrate, and interact with others.
This substantial limitation is obvious upon sight and was obvious on the day of the incident, the lawsuit filed in US District Court states.
Deckard posted on 2016-07-01 17:28:11 Reply Private Reply
#6: Gatlin To: Deckard (#0)
It has been reported that one in every five "suicide bombers" used by Boko Haram in the past two years has been a child. What better ploy can there be for terrorists than to try to get a young girl pose as being handicapped sneak a suicide bomb through a check point. Such similar things have happened.
Permit me to speculate and rewrite the area in bold print from the article to show a distinct possibility.
Therein lies a potential but realistic possible problem with security when you can trust no one or believe anything and vigilance must always be paramount. The commendable action of the TSA and cops to continue to comply with the ever-growing security threats and needs in the United States must be appreciated. There can be no second chance for any mistake.
Gatlin posted on 2016-07-01 18:47:16 Reply Private Reply
#7: Gatlin To: Deckard (#5)
Without question it would have happened ... distinctly remembering the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California.
Gatlin posted on 2016-07-01 18:50:21 Reply Private Reply
#8: Deckard To: Gatlin (#6)
Oh man, are you serious with this bullshit?
You think this girl was "posing" as a handicapped person?
When will your insanity ever end?
The commendable action of the TSA...
The insanity continues.
Deckard posted on 2016-07-01 19:08:44 Reply Private Reply
#9: Hondo68 To: Gatlin, announces new terror fatwah, *Arab Spring Jihad* (#6)
And another fatwah is born. Hillary & McCain will likely implement your suggestion and use the resulting carnage to get her elected.
Nonetheless, you'll end up in a FEMA Camp, at best.
Hondo68 posted on 2016-07-01 19:18:18 Reply Private Reply
#10: Stoner To: Deckard (#5)
Of course not! You know Muzzies are untouchable.
Come to think of it, I think when traveling, I will have my wife & daughter wear one. They could even carry a riot gun, and wear a 50 rd bandoleer. Hey, that might be a real good idea. Good for family security, LOL
Seriously, I hope the girl will be OK! She had enough problems with a brain tumor, then this shit! Everybody that wears a badge should be deeply ashamed & embarrassed, and angry at those clowns!
Stoner posted on 2016-07-01 19:37:36 Reply Private Reply
#11: Gatlin To: Deckard (#8)
I only pointed out that TSA and the cops were doing their job correctly because if they did not, then the next time a suicide bomber young girl could be doing the same time, but that time as a plot.
The girl tried to flee ... she need to be taken down.
How can you survive in this world being such a scatterbrain?
Gatlin posted on 2016-07-01 19:58:23 Reply Private Reply
#12: misterwhite To: Deckard (#3)
According to the article, she finished her treatment.
Perhaps you're confused. Maybe you have a brain tumor? Nah. First you need a brain.
misterwhite posted on 2016-07-01 20:10:15 Reply Private Reply
#13: buckeroo To: Gatlin (#11)
buckeroo posted on 2016-07-01 20:10:56 Reply Private Reply
#14: misterwhite To: Gatlin (#11)
But ... but ... her mother said she was paralyzed.
misterwhite posted on 2016-07-01 20:13:13 Reply Private Reply
#15: Roscoe To: Deckard (#3)
A libertarian in the making
Roscoe posted on 2016-07-01 20:15:53 Reply Private Reply
#16: Deckard To: Gatlin (#11)
You certainly insinuated it.
you stupid asshole
Go fuck yourself.
I only pointed out that TSA and the cops were doing their job correctly
Bullshit!
Is there no egregious action taken by the police state that you will not excuse?
Don't bother answering...
Deckard posted on 2016-07-01 20:18:59 Reply Private Reply
#17: Gatlin To: buckeroo (#13)
I don't know how many have been caught, but I do know that none have made it through ...
Gatlin posted on 2016-07-01 21:11:33 Reply Private Reply
#18: Gatlin To: Deckard (#16)
Only in your Paultard warped mind could you come up with that.
Gatlin posted on 2016-07-01 21:12:42 Reply Private Reply
#19: Gatlin To: Roscoe, misterwhite (#15)
Now, that really did cause me to laugh out loud ... it broke me up.
Gatlin posted on 2016-07-01 21:14:56 Reply Private Reply
#20: buckeroo To: Gatlin (#17)
buckeroo posted on 2016-07-01 21:16:15 Reply Private Reply
#21: Gatlin To: buckeroo (#20)
Gatlin posted on 2016-07-01 21:36:27 Reply Private Reply
#22: buckeroo To: Gatlin (#21)
buckeroo posted on 2016-07-01 21:37:59 Reply Private Reply
#23: Deckard To: Gatlin, buckeroo (#21)
Good grief - that list has been posted numerous times.
Let me guess - you are a big fan of the PATRIOT Act?
Of course you are.
Deckard posted on 2016-07-01 21:38:31 Reply Private Reply
#24: Pinguinite To: Gatlin (#17)
A suicide bomber doesn't have to make it through security. Detonating a bomb while in line waiting to go through security will kill or seriously injure many dozens.
Pinguinite posted on 2016-07-04 22:37:04 Reply Private Reply
#25: Roscoe To: Gatlin (#21)
Roscoe posted on 2016-07-05 06:31:58 Reply Private Reply
#26: buckeroo To: Roscoe (#25)
buckeroo posted on 2016-07-05 07:40:53 Reply Private Reply