American actress Selma Blair has been issued a federal summons for alleged assault following an incident aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York, according to officials.
The Legally Blonde and Hellboy star was investigated by the FBI after an alleged altercation on Flight 938. The flight arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sunday. Airport officials said authorities responded to reports of a physically abusive passenger. Two flight attendants were reportedly injured, with one taken to hospital.
Blair, 54, was arrested and taken to hospital after the incident. Her publicist told the BBC that she had experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct.
“Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition,” the publicist said.
According to CBS News, Blair was transported to hospital by ambulance, where she allegedly kicked a police officer. Prosecutors also accused her of assaulting a nurse after arriving at the hospital. Following her release from hospital, Blair was taken to Queens Central Booking. She pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault relating to the alleged incidents involving the police officer and nurse.
CBS News reported that a judge set her bail at $20,000 in cash or $60,000 bond. Her next hearing was scheduled for January 19. Separately, Blair received a federal summons for an alleged assault aboard the aircraft. No date had been announced for proceedings in the federal case.
Air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News reportedly captured the pilot requesting medical assistance after the incident. Also mentioning a bloody nose and bite marks. Blair was allegedly restrained by flight crew members before the aircraft landed. Delta confirmed that law enforcement officers responded upon arrival at JFK Airport, adding that the incident did not affect flight operations.
Actress Previously Spoke About Multiple Sclerosis
Blair reduced her involvement in film and television projects after revealing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018. In a subsequent BBC interview, she spoke about the impact of the condition on her career, saying she had been forced to stop working.
She announced in 2021 that her multiple sclerosis was in remission. She has also discussed how neurological symptoms can affect her daily life and has travelled with her service dog, Scout, since 2021. The latest incident has drawn attention partly because Blair experienced another in-flight episode in 2016. Following that incident, she apologised publicly, saying she had accidentally mixed medication with alcohol and had behaved in ways she deeply regretted.
In her 2022 memoir, Mean Baby, Blair also wrote about biting several celebrities. This includes Sienna Miller, Seth MacFarlane and Kate Moss. She described the behaviour as occurring when her system became overwhelmed.
The allegations surrounding Sunday’s flight remain subject to legal proceedings. Blair’s publicist has attributed the latest incident to a medical emergency, while prosecutors have brought separate allegations concerning events aboard the aircraft and at the hospital.
