Family From Atlanta Followed by Suspected Stalker on Plane at DC Airport
What was supposed to be a peaceful conclusion to a family’s vacation to the US capital suddenly turned into a heart-throbbing adventure on August 4. Lauren Benton and her family, ready to board their return flight to Atlanta via Delta Air Lines from Washington Dulles International Airport, realized they were being tracked by a stranger.
Stalker Scare
“It felt like the guy was simply stalking us,” Benton said. Their first encounter with the creepy guy, according to Benton, happened soon after they’d gone past security. The man seemed to follow their each move obsessively. At some point, Benton said, the man entered the women’s restroom along with Benton and one of her little daughters.
“I was terrified. I could feel my heart thudding hard in my chest, and my focus was solely on my children. I had to keep them close to me,” Benton expressed.
Situation Escalates on Flight
Things took a turn for the worse when the family decided to board their flight to Atlanta. The stalker boarded in on the flight as well and sat right next to the family. “All along the journey, I kept questioning his motives. We’ve all heard about human trafficking, unfortunately very common here, and my mind kept oscillating back to that,” Benton said.
Benton reported her suspicions to a flight attendant. To everyone’s astonishment, the stalker was removed from the flight. He indeed shouldn’t have been there. Officials confirmed that while the man had a ticket, it was not for this specific Delta flight. But surprising enough, no charges were pressed against him.
Aftermath Reactions
For their part, Delta conveyed that the airline is carrying out an investigation. “Our airline has a set system in place – our gate agents and flight crews have to verify that those onboard our flights are our clients and were booked on that unique flight. We are looking into the issue internally,” Delta said in a press statement.
Benton shared how the incident shattered her sense of safety at airports. “I felt nauseated; the security breach was deeply disturbing.” She hopes that their experience would serve as a lesson for others. “Remember, if you sense something unpleasant, don’t hesitate to bring it up,” she suggested.
Severe Impact on Children
Benton disclosed how traumatized her innocent daughters were from the overwhelming incident. She conveyed her deep disappointment with the way her complaint was addressed and demanded Delta to up their game in handling such situations.
The incident casts a disturbing light on airport security systems. However, it also serves as a staunch reminder to all travelers to keep their eyes open, trust their instincts, and never hesitate to speak up when something feels awry. The incident is under investigation, and hopefully, it would serve as an impetus to improve airport security measures.
