Sacramento Woman Charged with Assaulting Toddler on Flight to Seattle

Seattle – A grim incident aboard a Delta flight from Mexico to Seattle has landed a 33-year-old California woman in legal trouble. Breanna R. Mistler, a resident of Sacramento, was detained today in U.S. District Court in Seattle on charges of Assault in a special aircraft jurisdiction.

Mistler was arrested at Sea-Tac Airport following the May 1, 2024, flight’s arrival. Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida ordered her detention pending trial, emphasizing the vulnerability of the 2-year-old victim.

The complaint states that multiple passengers witnessed Mistler’s alleged mistreatment of the child. One passenger reported seeing the toddler in the window seat and Mistler, who was seated in the aisle, allegedly kicking the child upon waking her. Another witness claimed to have seen Mistler shake the child ‘like a rag doll.’ Despite interventions from fellow passengers, the abuse reportedly continued.

Custodial officers detained Mistler at the airport, noting bruises on the toddler. The Port of Seattle Police and the FBI took over the investigation. The child was cared for by a victim witness specialist, with Child Protective Services (CPS) working to place the child with a relative.

Judge Tsuchida expressed concern for the child’s safety, noting that Mistler committed the assaults in front of many people during a lengthy flight, and he had an independent duty to protect the victim. The next hearing is set for May 16, 2024.

The charges are merely allegations, and Mistler is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Forstein is handling the case, with assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Mike Dion during the detention hearing.