TSA under fire after trying to pat down disabled 4-year-old girl at STL airport

ST. LOUIS - Cellphone video of TSA agents' attempt to pat down a disabled 4-year-old girl at a Missouri airport has made national news. While the agency has apologized, the girl's parents are still outraged.

Lucy Forcks, who has spina bifida, sobbed uncontrollably in her wheelchair as the agents tried to pat her down at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

"It was specifically because she was in a wheelchair," her mother explained. "The statement was 'she's in a wheel chair so we have to do a pat down.'"

That's when Lucy's mom pulled out her cellphone and pressed record.

"The TSA employee then responded that she was not going to be recorded, that it was in fact illegal to record her," she said.

But it's not illegal -- Lucy's mother kept recording, and eventually, the TSA agents decided not to pat down Lucy.

However, the damage was done.

While Lucy's father said he understands that the TSA agents are charged with protecting travelers, he explained he's charged with protecting his daughter.

"We weren't trying to be combative, but we were going to stand our ground ... we were going to set clear boundaries about what was appropriate as far as someone touching our child," Nathan Forcks said.

The TSA released a statement apologizing to the Forcks family.

"TSA regrets inaccurate guidance was provided to this family during screening and offers its apology. We are committed to maintaining the security of the traveling public and strive to treat all passengers with dignity and respect," it said.