A 33-year-old California woman, Breanna R. Mistler, has been sentenced to time served and a year of federal supervision for assaulting her 2-year-old daughter on a flight from Mexico to Seattle.
Mistler was arrested at Sea-Tac Airport in May 2024 and spent three weeks in federal prison before being released on bond.
According to the criminal complaint, multiple passengers on the flight observed Mistler abusing the child. The child was in the window seat, and Mistler was in the aisle seat.
Read: United Airlines Flight From Houston To Boston Diverted Due To Onboard ‘Biohazard’ Incident
The child woke up Mistler, and then, according to witnesses, Mistler turned and kicked the child. In her plea agreement, Mistler denies that she kicked the child but admits hitting and shaking the 2-year-old.
Witnesses reported Mistler struck the child multiple times with her hand, and one witness reported Mistler shook the child “like a rag doll.” Despite interventions from passengers, Mistler persisted in the abuse. She told the passengers to “mind their own (expletive) business.”
Judge Tsuchida noted that Mistler will be supervised not only by the federal probation office, but by Child Protective Services, and California probation officers as well. “You are taking steps …. I hope you start over with a more stable life – you have a very young child, and she deserves that,” Judge Tsuchida said.
Read: United Airlines Flight From Florida To New Jersey Diverted After Passenger Bites Flight Attendant
Mistler is currently taking parenting and anger management classes. Prosecutors noted the extreme vulnerability of the victim in this case writing to the court, the victim “was two years old, and trapped in the window seat on an airplane. Given her young age and her physical confinement, she had no recourse to resist or avoid being hit, kicked, or shaken by her mother.”
At her sentencing hearing, Mistler’s attorney, Dennis Carroll, told the court that the assault came when Mistler hit her “lowest point.” She is now “sober, reflective, and remorseful and currently has supervised visits with her daughter,” Carroll said.
For her part, Mistler told the judge, “I hit rock bottom. I am a better person now. I want to continue to be better.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.