Airports across the country have ramped up security in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Paris, but a Pennsylvania father says Transportation Security Administration agents went too far when they confiscated his son’s favorite toy.
The Zilka family was returning home from a trip to Disney World where 5-year-old Levi Zilka’s uncle bought him a Buzz Lightyear “flip grip” toy as a souvenir, CBS reported.
But TSA officials at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida said the toy looked too much like a gun and would not allow the child to take it on the plane.
“We couldn’t go on the plane yet because they said it looks too much like a gun and you can’t bring guns on the plane,” Levi told another local CBS affiliate.
TSA agents said the toy could be checked, but the family only packed carry-on luggage for their Disney vacation.
“Once he realized what was happening and they weren’t giving his toy back, he immediately starts bawling, just tears streaming down his face. It was all I could do not to break down with him in that moment,” the boy’s father, David Zilka told CBS.
Mr. Zilka said he believes the TSA went too far and his son was treated unfairly.
“We understand that things are scary out there right now, but taking a toy from a five year old doesn’t enhance national security. It was all I could do not to break down with him in that moment,” he said.
The TSA is looking in to the incident.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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