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American Airlines Apologizes For Accusing Singer David Ryan Harris Of Trafficking His Biracial Children

“A flight attendant had called ahead with some sort of concern that perhaps my mixed children weren’t my children,” Harris said in a September 23 video.

Singer David Ryan Harris was given a “heartfelt apology” by American Airlines after staffers accused him of trafficking his biracial children.

According to the LA Times, Harris, 55, traveled from Atlanta to Los Angeles with his two sons Truman, 12,  and Hendrix, 7,  on September 15.

As they exited the flight, the trio were met by airline staff and four police officers, Davis claimed.

“Apparently, a flight attendant had called ahead with some sort of concern that perhaps my mixed children weren’t my children,” Harris said in a September 23 Instagram video.

He continued: “Because they were unresponsive during an interaction with her. We are met, embarrassingly so, by this AA employee and police officers. They questioned my kids.”

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On Tuesday (Oct. 3), Harris shared the airline’s apology and statement with his social media followers:

“​​To summarize our investigation…we and our flight attendant realized that our policies regarding suspected human trafficking were not followed, and through coaching and counseling… Our flight attendant realizes that their interaction and observations did NOT meet the criteria that human trafficking was taking place.

“Our flight attendant in question wanted to make sure that you were aware that they sincerely offer a heartfelt apology to you and your family for their actions, and the results that their actions generated,” the statement said.”

The fiasco has been declared a “teachable moment for all involved” said Harris.

“All I was looking for was an apology and/or an explanation of policy. From the beginning, I didn’t (and still don’t) think that a slow or tentative response from a 7 year old on an early morning flight should be enough criteria to have the authorities called.”

A bulk of Harris’ frustration also stemmed from the airline's lack of response and communication.

“I had to resort to shaming the airlines to get a response at all speaks to a general lack of a meaningful customer service apparatus,” he said.

Harris “applauds” the airline for its apology.

Harris has a broad career in music as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is most notably known for playing guitar and singing in John Mayer’s Band for nearly a decade.

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