Man Who Slapped Toddler on Flight from Mpls. Sentenced to 8 months

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S3270206.shtml?cat=1#!prettyPhoto ^

[MNDude]

A federal judge on Monday sentenced a man who pleaded guilty to slapping a crying toddler on an Atlanta-bound flight to serve eight months in federal prison.

Joe Rickey Hundley was accused of using a racial slur to refer to the 19-month-old boy, who's black, and hitting him under the eye as the flight from Minneapolis descended to the Atlanta airport last February. He pleaded guilty in October to simple assault after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.

As the plane descended into Atlanta, the child started crying. Hundley leaned over to Bennett and "told her to shut that (N-word) baby up,"

Hundley's only son was in a coma in Atlanta after an insulin overdose that was the result of a suspected suicide attempt, Shein has said. Hundley had spent the prior day talking to his ex-wife and doctors after his son was declared brain dead, Shein said, and he booked a last-minute flight to Atlanta so he and his ex-wife could take their son off life support.

"I made the most terrible day in my life much worse for me and for others," Hundley told the judge.

[SkyDancer]

Wonder what would have happened if he used duct tape.

[southern rock]

Should be 8 years.

[driftdiver]

Considering his own son had just died I’d let him off with a nice sturdy slap.

[RIghtwardHo]

Seems fair. These are always tough to sentence.

[Gene Eric]

Some make no effort to quiet their spawn.

[jocon307]

He’s lucky he made it to trial. If a grown man slapped my baby, I’d strangle him.

[unixfox]

Should be 8 years.

You have obviously never been on a plane with a screaming brat.

He should have received a medal.

[elkfersupper]

Should be 8 years. You have obviously never been on a plane with a screaming brat. He should have received a medal.

Back in the early 1980's, I encountered a kid walking into the middle of a busy street, looking at me defiantly and daring me to run him over.

I took my belt off, took him to the curb and blistered his hide.

His mother came out before I left and thanked me.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Eight months in prison and a felony record are enough to put a crimp in this guy’s lifestyle for a very long time.

[Mastador1]

"I made the most terrible day in my life much worse for me and for others," Hundley told the judge. Bennett has said Hundley became increasingly obnoxious and appeared intoxicated during the flight

You see it's OK, he's a victim too! /S

[sarasmom]

The mother said she was satisfied with the sentence.
I'm not sure I would have been satisfied if it was my child, but it does sound about right, in terms of court ordered justice.

I bet there will be a “next time” with this male.

[Starstruck]

You have obviously never been on a plane with a screaming brat. He should have received a medal.

Maybe if he murdered the kid, right?

[parisa]

No excuse at all. The child’s mother’s is right: he is a bully, finding easy mark with a woman and her child. You think he’d behave the same way if a big black man was sitting in that seat next to him? Hurting someone else’s child because you’re frustrated?? That’s his excuse? He’s bigoted and pathetic and deserves much worst than he got.

[sharpee]

The worst crying kid encounter I had was a two year old in a locker room. Kid kept crying mommy mommy I want my mommy. Then an old guy with the kid leaned over and with a sad voice said “Jimmy your mom’s in jail and will be there for along time”.

[jocon307]

“Then an old guy with the kid leaned over and with a sad voice said “Jimmy your mom’s in jail and will be there for along time”.

Oh dear!

[Drew68]

You have obviously never been on a plane with a screaming brat.

I can sympathize with parents of crying children on flights. It isn't easy. My wife and I used to always fly home and once the kids started coming, we opted to drive. When my father passed away this past November, we had no choice but to fly from Florida to Denver and back; my wife, myself and our 4 and 2-year old sons. To make matters worse, the flights were packed and the airlines couldn't seat us together. My wife and kids at one end of the plane and myself at the other.

Thank God for iPads! Of course, the kids eventually got fussy and wanted to see what dad was doing so they were up and down the aisles, fidgeting in their seats, etc.

Yeah, it sucks trying to fly with small children. And I wholly expect to be deluged with replies by other FReeper parents whose toddlers behave perfectly on flights and that my childrens' restlessness is indicative of my failure at proper, Biblical parenting.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

Yes, you are a failure. Say 3 Hail Marys and stay off planes ;)

[Gay State Conservative]

I don't give a rat's hindquarters how the guy referred to the kid.OTOH,he had no right to assault the child...regardless of his/her race.That assault warrants punishment commensurate with the physical harm inflicted.Little or no physical harm just might warrant a few months,maybe even more.Anything even resembling serious harm warrants many,many months.Serious harm....many,many years.

[USNBandit]

To the parents that apologize to me for the crying of their little ones, I have a standard reply.

"They are only doing what it is socially unacceptable for me to do. I have three kids, so until your kid's head spins all the way around and he starts talking like the devil, I won't be shocked."