Selma Blair Out on Bail Following Alleged In-Flight Assault as Rep Claims a 'Medical Emergency'

Selma Blair has been arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport after allegedly assaulting crew members on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. The actress has pleaded 'not guilty' to two state charges of assault relating to alleged incidents involving a police officer and a nurse after the flight.

The incident drew attention after details emerged about the alleged assaults and Blair's representative attributed her conduct to a medical emergency.

Blair Allegedly Bit a Crew Member Before Being Transported to the Hospital

The Legally Blonde star had boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York, allegedly having hit her head at some point while boarding.

According to reports, the 54-year-old physically attacked crew members during the 11 October flight. Air traffic control audio indicated that a request had been made for medical personnel to meet the plane because two crew members needed care.

A later transmission described the injuries as 'a bloody nose as well as some bite marks', without saying who was hurt. It also relayed that the unruly passenger might have 'bashed her head on the bulkhead'.

The passenger, later identified as Blair, was taken into custody by the Port Authority and subsequently transferred to hospital for evaluation. Two flight attendants reported injuries, with one of them also being taken to hospital.

A law enforcement official told CNN that one flight attendant was bitten and a second sustained cuts, with officers resorting to plastic restraints to subdue Blair.

Blair's Lawyer Attests That Her Episode Was the Result of a Medical Emergency

Prosecutors said Blair kicked a Port Authority officer while she was being strapped to a stretcher before being loaded into an ambulance. According to a criminal complaint, she freed her leg from the straps and kicked the officer in the head and chest.

Blair reportedly kicked a nurse who was taking her for additional treatment, striking the nurse in the chest. According to her attorney, Shawn Barnes, the actress spent seven to eight hours in hospital.

The actress faces two state charges of assault for allegedly kicking the Port Authority officer and the nurse, according to a criminal complaint. She also faces a separate federal investigation into the alleged incidents aboard the flight.

In court on Monday, a prosecutor alleged that Blair kicked the police officer in the chest, neck and face while the officer was on duty, leaving the officer with facial swelling and arm pain. The prosecutor also described the injuries allegedly sustained by the nurse while Blair was being treated.

Barnes said the actress's conduct was the result of 'a medical emergency'. Blair had reportedly 'received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition' upon landing. Her lawyer told the judge that she had missed doses of 'a powerful medication' that helps manage symptoms associated with her neurological condition.

The actress was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018 and has spoken about it publicly.

Blair Had Previously Run Into Trouble Mid-Flight in 2016

Blair was also on a Delta flight from Cancún, Mexico, to Los Angeles International Airport in 2016 when she had a verbal outburst, with witnesses claiming the actress said someone was going to kill her. 'He burns my private parts. He won't let me eat or drink,' she allegedly cried, according to TMZ.

Two nurses who happened to be on board managed to subdue the actress, who later issued a public apology. She said she had made the 'big mistake' of mixing alcohol with her medication. 'That caused me to black out and led me to say and do things that I deeply regret,' she told Vanity Fair, adding that she was sorry for causing such a disturbance during the flight.

'I am a flawed human being who makes mistakes and I am filled with shame over this incident. I am truly very sorry,' she said at the time.

While Blair has yet to comment on the recent incident, Delta told CNN that it 'has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behaviour, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first'.