Pat-Down Conducted On "Severely Mentally Disabled" Individual

A mentally handicapped adult was subjected to an enhanced screening by TSA on a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida in what TSA now admits was a case of "bad judgement" on the part of TSOs in Detroit.

David Mandy said that his 29-year-old son was pulled aside for additional screening because of padding in his pants, which turned out to be adult diapers. Mandy's son Drew reportedly was unable to understand the instructions from the TSOs because he "has the mental capacity of a two-year-old," according to his family.

Fox News reports that the agents also confiscated a plastic toy hammer Drew had carried since he was about nine years old. They said it could be used as a weapon, and would have to be shipped if they wanted to keep it. When the elder Mandy tried to intervene, he was reportedly told "Please, sir, we know what we're doing."

TSA said in a statement that, after reviewing the case, it appeared to be an "isolated case of bad judgement." They have apologized to the Mandys, and said the toy hammer should never have been confiscated.

FMI: www.tsa.gov