A Sacramento woman was slapped with charges after allegedly abusing a toddler during a flight from Mexico to Seattle, as per authorities. Breanna R. Mistler, 33, is facing a misdemeanor charge of Assault within a special aircraft jurisdiction following her arrest on May 1, when her Delta flight landed. U.S. District Court in Seattle ordered Mistler detained, with U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announcing the detainment.

Mistler's alleged in-flight conduct, involving an abuse of a 2-year-old, was witnessed by other passengers on board. The ordeal reportedly awoke Mistler, who responded by kicking the child and later, as per one witness account, shook the child “like a rag doll.” Even as the passengers attempted to intervene, the abuse persisted, detailed in a criminal complaint.

Upon landing at Sea-Tac Airport, Customs and Border Protection officers took Mistler into custody. She appeared before Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida, who ordered her detention, citing the safety of the child, especially “because (Mistler) had committed the assaults in front of so many people on a lengthy plane trip,” per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington. The Port of Seattle Police, together with the FBI, is spearheading the ongoing investigation.

Bruises found on the toddler prompted immediate care by a victim witness specialist, while Child Protective Services is now involved in the safe placement of the child with relatives. The gravity of these accusations weighed heavy in the courtroom, with Judge Tsuchida affirming an “independent duty to protect the victim.” Mistler's next court appearance is set for a preliminary examination on May 16, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

It's important to note that these charges are mere allegations. Mistler is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, as stressed by authorities. The case against her is being managed by Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Forstein, with Mike Dion assisting in her recent detention hearing.