BOSTON - A North Carolina family has recently filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, claiming that a flight attendant taped an iPhone to an airplane toilet to record their teenage daughter using the restroom during a September flight. The incident allegedly occurred on a flight from Charlotte to Boston on September 2.

According to the family's lawyers, American Airlines "knew or should have known the flight attendant was a danger." They argue that the failure of other crew members to seize the employee's phone allowed him to destroy potential evidence. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, is aimed at American Airlines and the unidentified flight attendant. The family's attorneys lodged the suit in U.S. district court in North Carolina.

In response to the allegations, American Airlines stated that the flight attendant involved was immediately withheld from service after the incident and has not worked since. The airline expressed a strong commitment to cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities during their investigation, emphasizing that safety and security are their top priorities.

According to the accounts given in the lawsuit, the teenage girl was instructed by the flight attendant to use a bathroom in the first-class cabin while she was waiting to use the one in the economy section where her family was seated. The flight attendant entered the restroom before her, stating that he needed to wash his hands. However, upon exiting the bathroom a minute later, he informed the girl that the seat was broken, instructing her not to worry about it.

It was during her use of the toilet that the girl noticed an iPhone partly concealed by red airline tape with the words "Remove from service." Disturbingly, the camera flash on the phone was glowing, leading the girl to immediately suspect that someone had placed the device there to secretly record her using the toilet.

Shocked and scared, the girl took a photo of the device herself as evidence. However, the family's lawyers argue that the flight attendant allegedly removed the phone and erased any potential incriminating images of the girl before allowing her father to view his own iPhone photos. The FBI later informed the girl's mother that they had not arrested the flight attendant as no evidence of wrongdoing was found on his phone.

The family's lawyers revealed that they lack information regarding the flight attendant's identity, residence, or current employment status with American Airlines. The 14-year-old victim is currently undergoing therapy to cope with the trauma caused by the incident.

To protect the privacy and anonymity of the girl and her family, neither their identities nor detailed personal information were disclosed in the lawsuit. The Associated Press adheres to a policy of not naming victims of sexual assault or abuse, unless they voluntarily come forward publicly.

American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, maintains a significant operations base at the Charlotte airport. The airline is now facing this legal challenge as it endeavors to address the serious allegations and work towards ensuring the safety and security of its passengers.