Arkansas Woman Sues Delta Air Lines Over False Allegations

An Arkansas woman has initiated a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines, seeking $2.35 million. The suit claims that a Delta employee inaccurately reported that she was sexually trafficked and inappropriately touched by her father while aboard a flight, when she was just 13 years old.

This incident took place on December 18, 2019. Madison Cupp, from Paragould, Arkansas, was boarding an Endeavor Airlines flight (which is part of Delta) with her family to attend her brother’s graduation from the Coast Guard Academy in Newport News, Virginia.

According to documents filed in federal court in Virginia last week, the plane hit some turbulence as it neared its destination. Madison’s father, Nicholas Cupp, an Army veteran, acted as a caring father would and tried to comfort his distressed daughter, who was frightened and crying.

However, the lawsuit alleges that Delta employee Cheryl Thomas reported the incident to the captain, requesting law enforcement to be present upon landing and to separate Madison from her family without their knowledge.

The captain then informed Delta Station Commander Derek Palazzone, who contacted the police, allegedly failing to investigate the situation further.

Thomas maintained that Nicholas had inappropriately touched Madison and sexually abused her during the flight, which the lawsuit claims are false accusations.

The filing states that Madison “was not sexually assaulted,” but rather comforted by her father in front of other family members during a particularly stressful moment.

Upon landing, armed officers approached the plane, separated Madison from her parents, and interrogated both her and her father, as per the court documents.

Madison was reportedly “agitated, scared, and crying” throughout this questioning.

Nicholas faced a humiliating interrogation in a public area of the airport, witnessed by onlookers, before officers concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

Following this incident, it is alleged that Thomas did not offer an apology as she passed by Madison.

The lawsuit contends that both Madison and Nicholas suffered significant and lasting harm, with Madison experiencing emotional trauma that included physical symptoms like stomach pains and vomiting. The situation left her feeling uncomfortable interacting with her father in public.

Previously an outgoing student who played on a basketball team coached by her father, Madison became withdrawn, stopped attending school, and expressed a desire to leave the team. She also reportedly began avoiding affection with men and developed fears of her family being taken from her.

The lawsuit further claims that Delta failed to adequately train its employees on recognizing, investigating, and reporting actual instances of sex trafficking.

Meanwhile, Nicholas has been pursuing this case for several years. Recently, the Virginia Supreme Court determined that Delta is not immune from this lawsuit, allowing Nicholas’ case to continue.

Delta and Thomas have not yet responded to requests for comment, while Palazzone declined to provide any remarks.