In Lake Worth, Florida, a traffic stop led to an unexpected viral moment when a deputy mistakenly cited Kathleen Thomas for holding a cellphone while driving, despite her missing right hand. The incident, which occurred in February, was captured on body camera footage and has since garnered over 23 million views on TikTok.

Unusual Traffic Stop

The deputy from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office pulled over Thomas, 36, claiming he saw her holding a phone in her right hand. Thomas, who was born without her lower right arm, responded by showing her right arm, which ends at the elbow, and humorously asked if they could call it a day. Despite her clear demonstration, the deputy insisted on his observation.

The situation escalated when the deputy asked Thomas to swear “to God” with her other hand, which she did. Thomas later expressed her discomfort with the interaction, noting the irony of the deputy’s request given her limb difference.

Resolution and Reactions

Thomas was issued a $116 ticket, but she decided to fight it in court. Ahead of her court appearance, she obtained the bodycam footage and shared it online, where it quickly went viral. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reviewed the incident and acknowledged the lack of clarity in their citation software. The deputy requested the ticket’s dismissal due to “insufficient evidence,” which was granted.

In an interview, Thomas stated she did not believe the deputy intended harm but suggested he lacked training for such situations. She emphasized the normalcy of limb differences and encouraged acceptance of physical diversity.

The incident highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating individuals with disabilities, as well as the need for law enforcement training in handling diverse situations respectfully.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.