Selma Blair’s representatives issued a statement on Friday addressing her arrest following an in-flight incident aboard a Delta Airlines flight on Sunday. The statement asserts that Blair experienced a medical emergency and denies any intent to harm others or open the aircraft door. Blair was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport late Sunday after the flight landed, according to authorities.
The statement, provided to People and reported by the Los Angeles Times and Fox News, also highlights Blair’s public diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2018 and a secondary neurological condition, pseudobulbar affect, as factors in the incident. Blair was charged with two counts of second-degree assault, accused of kicking a police officer and a nurse during her transport to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Selma Blair was taken into custody at JFK Airport on Sunday night following an altercation reported during a Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles. Two crew members required medical care during the flight, and Blair was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center after landing. Authorities allege she kicked a Port Authority Police Department officer and a nurse while being transported.
Blair’s representatives issued a statement on Friday asserting that the incident stemmed from a medical emergency, not an intent to cause harm. The statement also corrects public accounts that suggested Blair attempted to open the aircraft door, calling such claims inaccurate.
Deeper Dive & Context
Medical Background and Public Statements
Blair publicly disclosed her MS diagnosis in 2018, a condition that can cause unpredictable physical and neurological symptoms. Her representatives emphasized that Blair’s neurological condition, pseudobulbar affect, may have influenced how her medical episode presented to others. The statement did not provide further details on the nature of the medical emergency but framed the incident as a health-related event.
Legal Charges and Official Response
Queens prosecutors charged Blair with two counts of second-degree assault, a felony, in connection with the alleged kicking incidents. The FBI is also investigating the in-flight altercation, though no further details on the scope of the investigation have been released. Blair has not publicly commented on the charges.
Media Framing and Public Accountability
Blair’s representatives criticized the initial reporting of the incident, stating that public accounts relied heavily on a police statement and omitted context about her health. They expressed gratitude to journalists who reported on Blair as an individual rather than focusing solely on the incident. The statement did not address the charges directly but sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Timeline of Events
- Sunday, [Date]: Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New York lands at JFK Airport; Blair is taken into custody after the flight.
- Sunday night: Blair is transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center; allegations of kicking a police officer and a nurse arise.
- Monday evening: Blair is charged with two counts of second-degree assault.
- Friday: Blair’s representatives issue a statement to People, asserting a medical emergency and denying intent to harm.