Update: Toddler slapper loses job after reports surface. The man who allegedly slapped a crying baby aboard a Delta Airlines flight recently, while dropping the "N-word," was fired from his high-profile aerospace job. Officials at the man's company called his behavior "embarrassing."
Citing a Feb. 18 USNews report, Joe Hundley, 60, a resident from Hayden, Idaho, lost his job after being charged for slapping a toddler on Feb. 8.
The outcome of his termination was highly probable, given the backlash that followed and the nature of his role with his former job. Hundley was a vice-president at Unitech, an aircraft parts company.
Officials at its parent company, Aerospace and Defense, Composite Group, released a statement condemning Hundley's actions and explained why the alleged toddler slapper lost his job.
It read in part:
"Reports of the recent behavior of one of our business unit executives while on personal travel are offensive and disturbing. We have taken this matter very seriously and worked diligently to examine it since learning of the matter on Friday afternoon. As of Sunday, the executive is no longer employed with the company..."
Jessica Bennett, the 19-month boy's mom says that she was "scared to death" after the stranger mouthed a racial epithet and slapped her crying baby.
Bennett said the man "reeked of alcohol" and was seen consuming two double vodkas aboard the Atlanta-bound flight.
According to reports, the man said, "Shut that [N-word] baby up!" just before striking the child, causing him to bleed and cry even harder.
At least one witness, who came to the Bennett's aid, confirmed the woman's version of the story.
Federal authorities charged Hundley with simple assault, but at this point, there is no mention of whether he will be charged with a hate crime for his alleged statements before hitting the hapless child.
However, the man's attorney, who admitted to receiving hate mail for defending Hundley, said the complete version of what happened will come out that will exonerate her client. Imagine that?
It's unknown what defense a person could have for striking a child. However, there's always two sides to every story.
So, the toddler slapper loses his job. But is that enough should the charges prove true?
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