Actor Selma Blair was arrested following accusations of causing harm to two flight attendants on a journey from Los Angeles to New York. She was also charged on Monday for allegedly assaulting a police officer who was escorting her to the hospital and a nurse upon arrival.
Blair, aged 54, was taken into custody around 11 p.m. ET on Sunday while the Delta Air Lines aircraft was stationed at the gate at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, as per the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Both Blair and one of the flight attendants were taken to the hospital for assessment, according to the port authority.
In the charging documents, a police officer escorting her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center reported that while securing Blair to a stretcher, she resisted by kicking the officer repeatedly in the face, neck, and chest, resulting in severe pain and swelling. Subsequently, a nurse who was relocating Blair also reported being kicked in the chest, causing substantial pain.
Blair was formally charged with two counts of second-degree assault late on Monday at a court in Queens. During the court appearance, she appeared emotional as she stood in handcuffs, dressed in jeans and a white hooded sweatshirt.
One of her attorneys, Shawn Barnes, informed the judge that Blair’s actions were unintentional. He mentioned that the actor, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, had missed several doses of a potent medication that manages severe neurological symptoms, as reported by the New York Daily News and New York Post.
Barnes explained that Blair had boarded the flight from Los Angeles after a strenuous work schedule, and had also experienced a head injury during the flight. These factors, combined with the altitude, led to a state of significant confusion and disorientation.
The judge set Blair’s bail at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond US, scheduling the next hearing for January, after which Blair left the court accompanied by her legal team.
While details of the incident aboard the aircraft were not immediately disclosed by the airline, police, or the FBI, Delta emphasized in a statement that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive or unlawful behavior, prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew.
In communication with air traffic control, the Delta pilot requested medical personnel at the gate to address bite marks and a bloody nose, indicating that ambulances were not deemed necessary.
Regarding a previous in-flight incident, Blair, known for her roles in popular films including “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Hellboy,” had faced issues on a flight in 2016, where she publicly apologized for statements made under the influence of alcohol and medication, resulting in a blackout.
In recent years, Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, has been a vocal advocate for disability rights. In 2023, she participated in an event with then-president Joe Biden at the White House to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary.
