Selma Blair has been charged with two counts of felony second-degree assault, following an incident on a plane in New York City.
The "Cruel Intentions" actress, 54, was arrested Sunday, Oct. 11, at John F. Kennedy International Airport, after an incident in which she reportedly punched one Delta Air Lines flight attendant and bit another.
Blair's charges stem from her behavior after the flight landed, as she was being transported to an ambulance and taken to Jamaica Hospital in Queens, where she allegedly kicked both a police officer and a nurse, according to a criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY. Her publicist has said she experienced a medical emergency during the alleged incident.
Appearing in court on Monday, Blair appeared emotional as
her attorneys emphasized that the alleged behavior is not who she is and is a unique incident given her "first brush with the law." One attorney, Shawn Barnes, told the court Blair had worked long hours, missed medication doses and fallen and hit her head aboard the plane, CNN reported.
Blair was arraigned in New York's Queens Criminal Court on Monday, Oct. 12, according to New York court records viewed by USA TODAY. She pleaded not guilty. Judge Indira Khan set the "Legally Blonde" star's bail at $20,000 cash or credit card, or a $60,000 insured or partially secured surety bond, which Blair posted.
Judge issues protective order against Selma Blair
The judge also issued a protective order for the nurse, prohibiting Blair from going within 100 yards of her or contacting her, electronically or otherwise, the court confirmed to USA TODAY.
Blair's felony second-degree assault charges involve protected workers under New York law, and each count carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison. Her next court appearance is set for Jan. 19, 2027.
USA TODAY has reached out to Blair's attorneys for comment.
What happened during and after Selma Blair's flight?
Port Authority police responded around 11 p.m. Oct. 11 to Delta Flight 938, which had arrived from Los Angeles and was parked at a gate, according to a statement provided to USA TODAY by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Two flight attendants reported injuries, and one was taken to a hospital. Blair was also hospitalized for evaluation.
TMZ reported Blair allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another. Delta told USA TODAY it could not corroborate reports that Blair tried to open an aircraft door, and that there was no operational impact to the flight.
According to the criminal complaint, after the flight landed and authorities responded at JFK, Port Authority Police Department Officer Maria Suarez attempted to help transport Blair from a terminal to an ambulance and was securing her on a stretcher when the "Hellboy" actress allegedly removed her leg and began kicking the officer repeatedly in the face, neck and chest. The officer said she required hospital treatment due to the "substantial" pain and swelling.
A registered nurse, who was helping transport Blair for treatment, said the actress also kicked her in the chest and caused "substantial" pain.
Blair's publicist, Jill Fritzo, told USA TODAY on Oct. 12 that the actress "experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct" and that Blair received immediate medical attention and was in stable condition. The actress was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic, degenerative autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system, in 2018 and has been a vocal advocate in the years since.
Contributing: Sameen Chaudhry, Liza Esquibias and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Selma Blair charged with 2 felonies after allegedly kicking officer, nurse
