A mother has claimed she was told by a Southwest Airlines flight attendant to "glue" her thumb-sucking toddler's mask on her face.
Ali Cleek, of Virginia, said the incident involving her two-year-old daughter Drew occurred on a flight from Orlando to Norfolk, Virginia, on August 12.
The mom, who was also accompanied by her husband and Drew's four-year-old brother, told Fox News that her youngest child was crying and would not keep her mask on.
In a post to Instagram after the alleged incident, Cleek explained: "Drew is a thumb sucker and her only way she biologically knows how to soothe herself is by sucking her thumb which is damn near impossible with a mask."
She added: "Well, two flight attendants stood over me watching as we held her down and tried to get her to wear it. Lots of tears from Drew and I. And then it happened… the flight attendant told me two things."
The two options Cleek was given were to either cut a hole in the mask - she was told "sarcastically" - or "glue it to her face."
"I just know that regardless if it was sarcasm or not I was embarrassed and trying to follow the mandate as much as I could," Cleek said. "My daughter is two. We were doing everything we could to comply."
Southwest Airlines has since issued a statement to Fox News over the alleged encounter:
"The federal mask mandate for travelers has been in effect since February 2, 2021 and requires all passengers over the age of two to wear a mask at all times throughout the travel journey.
"We [Southwest] appreciate the ongoing cooperation among our customers as we work, collectively, to follow the federal mandate and support the comfort and wellbeing of all who travel with us during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
"As a note, customers are reminded of the federal mask mandate multiple times prior to travel.
"Southwest provides reminders during the booking process on our website; in pre-trip emails sent to customers prior to departure; and as a part of a customer’s Health Declaration Form that must be acknowledged during the check-in process on the Southwest app, Southwest.com, Southwest’s mobile website, and airport kiosks."
Cleek said she has since been in contact with the customer service department at the airline and has received an apology.
