An unexpected airport arrest has now ended with a $92,500 settlement.
A Florida woman who was arrested at an airport after missing her connecting flight has reached a $92,500 settlement with Travis County. It brings an end to a drawn-out legal battle stemming from an incident four years ago.
Karen McGee, a deaf wheelchair user, missed her connecting flight as she was traveling through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in September 2022. The then-71-year-old woman reportedly failed to hear the gate-change announcement as she was unable to adjust her hearing aids.
The lawsuit states that she then attempted to switch to an Alaska Airlines flight in order to travel with her cousin. However, the gate agent denied her request.
Following 20 minutes of back-and-forth communication, three Austin police officers arrived at the scene. Employees allegedly told officers that McGee could hear and was intoxicated, although she wasn't.
Officers Arrest McGee For Trespassing
An officer then grabbed her wrist and handcuffed her as she attempted to stand up from her wheelchair. McGee was told she was being arrested for criminal trespassing.
The situation became more serious after McGee was booked into Travis County Jail. According to her lawsuit, jail staff were aware of her hearing impairment but did not adequately accommodate her disability during the booking process. She also claims that two officers broke her wrist while removing her wedding ring.
McGee was subsequently left in jail for two days without receiving the medical treatment her attorney says she needed. The charges were later dismissed, and she was released from custody.
At the time, the Travis County Sheriff's Office dismissed concerns, stating, "Our agency takes the health and safety of the individuals in our facilities very seriously and takes appropriate steps to maintain their safety."
$92,500 Settlement Reached Four Years Later
In September 2026, McGee agreed to a $92,500 settlement with Travis County, according to her attorney Rebecca Webber.
McGee previously described the experience as a "nightmare ordeal", adding:
I am grateful that the City of Austin made important changes at ABIA, such as joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program and posting medics on the secure side of the airport, after my wrongful arrest. I hope that this settlement will cause the Travis County Sheriff to take similar steps to protect people with disabilities.
The incident prompted changes at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. In 2023, the airport joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program, which allows travelers with non-visible disabilities to discreetly signal that they may need additional assistance or understanding.