A traffic stop in Lake Worth, Florida, has gained national attention after a deputy from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office mistakenly cited a woman for holding a cellphone with her right hand, despite her missing the limb. The incident, captured on body camera footage, has sparked widespread discussion on social media.

Unusual Traffic Stop

Kathleen Thomas, 36, was pulled over in February by a deputy who claimed to have seen her holding a phone in her right hand. Thomas, who was born without her lower right arm, responded by showing her arm to the deputy, humorously asking if they could ‘just call this a day.’

The deputy, whose identity remains undisclosed, persisted in his claim, asking Thomas to swear ‘to God’ that she wasn’t holding a phone. Thomas complied, using her left hand, which she found ironic given her situation. The interaction left her feeling uncomfortable, as she later shared in an interview on ‘CBS Mornings.’

Viral Reaction and Legal Outcome

Thomas posted the bodycam footage on TikTok, where it quickly went viral, amassing over 23 million views. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office released a statement explaining that the traffic stop was based on the deputy’s visual observation at the time. However, after reviewing the case, the ticket was dismissed due to ‘insufficient evidence’ and issues with citation software labeling.

Thomas expressed that she did not believe the deputy intended harm but highlighted the need for better training in handling such situations. She emphasized the normalcy of limb differences and the importance of recognizing diversity in appearances.

This incident underscores the challenges faced by individuals with physical differences and the importance of sensitivity and awareness in law enforcement interactions.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.