Angry Mom Speaks Out After Airline Employee Mocks 5-Year-Old Daughter’s Name

Traci Redford was 8 years old when she decided what she would name her future daughter. When that time finally came, the El Paso, Texas woman stuck to her promise. When her daughter was born, Redford named her baby Abcde (pronounced Ab-city).

Screenshot: YouTube/ABC News

However, not everyone appreciated Abcde’s unique name, including one Southwest Airlines employee checking Traci and Abcde onto a flight. The employee was so surprised by the little girl’s name she began mocking it within earshot of the child–then posted Abcde’s boarding pass (and personal information) onto social media.

Screenshot: YouTube/ABC News

“She asked me, “mom, why is she laughing at my name?” Traci said, retelling this infuriating incident to ABC News. “You know honey, not everyone is nice and not everyone is going to be nice,” Traci replied. “It’s unfortunate.”

But Traci wasn’t going to let this rude employee get away with insulting her child. After Traci filed a complaint with the airline, the incident went viral–forcing Southwest Airlines to apologize.

Screenshot: YouTube/ABC News

“We extend our sincere apology to the family,” the airline wrote in a statement. “The post is not indicative of the care, respect, and civility we expect from all of our Employees.

“We have followed up with the Employee involved, and while we do not disclose personnel actions publicly, we are using this as an opportunity to reinforce our policies and emphasize our expectations for all employees.”

But some viewers believe Traci naively set her daughter up by giving her child this unusual name.

“You intentionally named your daughter this,” one viewer commented on ABC News’ clip, which you can view below. “She’s going to get bullied and made fun of. This is the first of many times that that going to happen, and you can’t just cry for attention every time that happens.”

“The airline employee absolutely should not have done that but I am more angry at the mom for naming her child that,” another user agreed. “How selfish to hold onto that childish notion instead of considering your daughter’s future.”

A third person suggested the child should promptly nickname herself Abby. What do you think?

Find out more in the following video:

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