A traffic stop in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, drew attention after an unusual incident involving a woman, Kathleen Thomas, and a sheriff’s deputy. In February, the deputy pulled over Ms. Thomas, aged 36, for allegedly holding a cellphone in her right hand. However, Ms. Thomas, who lacks a right hand, quickly clarified the situation.
The interaction was captured on body camera footage, which Ms. Thomas later shared on social media. Laughing, she showed the deputy her right arm, which had no phone. The deputy, whose name remains undisclosed, seemed insistent about seeing a phone. Despite this, Ms. Thomas continued to humorously demonstrate the impossibility of the claim.
The citation, initially given for the alleged offense, was set to be contested in court. However, the deputy requested its dismissal due to what was later stated in court records as a ‘lack of evidence.’ Ms. Thomas attended the hearing, after which she expressed on social media that the outcome was anticipated.
Speaking to CBS, Ms. Thomas shared her background as an adaptive athlete born with part of her arm missing. She expressed hope for the officer to reflect and learn from the situation. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is currently reviewing the deputy’s conduct concerning this incident.
Teri Barbera, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department, stated that the judicial process allows motorists to contest citations fully, where all evidence is assessed. No official explanation was provided for the misunderstanding encountered during the stop.
The episode gained significant social media traction, focusing attention on the traffic enforcement practices in the area. The deputy involved has not commented publicly, as the department reviews the case.