A California woman allegedly attacked her 2-year-old daughter on an international flight from Mexico to Seattle last week, kicking and backhanding the little girl mid-flight before shaking her “like a rag doll” as horrified passengers looked on.
Breanna Mistler, 33, of Sacramento, was charged with child endangerment after the chaotic May 1 flight, during which she allegedly screamed “Shut the f—k up!” at her young daughter, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.
Mistler’s crazed behavior – sparked when the girl woke her mom up during the flight – led to a fight with other fliers who tried to shield the toddler from her mother’s assault, the outlet said, citing federal court documents.
“Despite interventions from passengers, Mistler allegedly persisted in the abuse,” according to a statement from federal prosecutors in Washington state.
“Mind your f—king business,” the angry mom allegedly told the other Delta customers.
Customs and Border Protection officers held Mistler as soon as her plane landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – and noticed her daughter had bruises on her eye, check, shoulder and forearm, USA Today said.
Mistler told authorities a dog did the damage a week earlier, the outlet said
The FBI and Port of Seattle Police took over the investigation, and Mistler has been charged with federal misdemeanor assault charges, news reports said.
“Even by the horrific standards of child abuse cases, this is shocking,” prosecutors said in the criminal complaint. “It is also the second time in six months that Mistler was charged with endangering her child.”
The first time – in December – Mistler allegedly brought her little daughter with her as she burglarized her mom’s home and slashed her tires, Fox said.
Child Protective Services will send the girl to live with a relative after the arrest.
Meanwhile, a judge remanded Mistler because she had “committed the assaults in front of so many people on a lengthy plane trip” and was particularly vulnerable, the US Attorney’s Office said.
She is due back in court May 16.