Selma Blair Arraigned on Assault Charges After Delta Flight Lands at JFK, Boyfriend Asks for Prayers

Actress Selma Blair, 54, was arraigned Monday on two counts of second-degree assault after an alleged mid-air incident aboard a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York ended with her arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Port Authority police said they responded to a call about a “physically abusive passenger” aboard Delta Flight 938 after it parked at the gate following its arrival from LAX. Officials said Blair was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation.

According to an affidavit, Officer Maria Suarez was helping secure Blair on a stretcher at approximately 11:50 p.m. ET when Blair allegedly “removed her leg from the stretcher straps and kicked Officer Suarez repeatedly about the face, neck and chest.” The filing states Suarez suffered swelling to her jaw and substantial pain to her face, neck and chest, and was treated at a hospital in Queens. Blair is also accused of kicking a nurse in the chest at a Queens-area hospital.

Two flight attendants reported injuries during the flight, with one taken to a hospital, according to officials. Sources told TMZ that Blair allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another during the flight.

Judge Indira Khan set bail at $20,000 cash, a $60,000 bond, or a $60,000 partially secured bond. Blair is expected back in court in January 2027. Law enforcement officials also confirmed Blair was separately served with a summons by the FBI and is currently facing one charge of assault.

Attorney Cites Missed Medication

During Monday’s court appearance in Queens, Blair’s attorney, Shawn Barnes, said the actress had missed multiple doses of medication that controls severe neurological symptoms, according to The New York Post.

“This was not an intentional assault,” Barnes reportedly told the court. “Ms. Blair missed several doses of … a powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms. Ms. Blair boarded this flight after being on set and working extensive hours and exhaustive hours in the days leading up to this flight.”

Barnes added that Blair fell and hit her head at one point during the flight. “These factors, coupled with altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation,” he said.

A representative for Blair told Fox News Digital at the time: “Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition.”

Blair was traveling with her service dog, which is now in the custody of her attorney, according to CBS.

Delta and Port Authority Respond

Delta confirmed that law enforcement responded to the incident upon arrival at JFK. “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first,” the airline said in a statement.

Port Authority officials told Fox News Digital: “On Sunday October 11 at approximately 11pm at JFK Airport, PAPD responded to a call about a physically abusive passenger aboard Delta Airlines flight 938 which was parked at the gate after arrival from LAX. Suspect was identified as Selma Blair, a 54-year-old woman. She was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for evaluation.”

Dispatch audio obtained by Fox News Digital included a request for medical personnel at the gate: “We’d like to have some medical personnel at the gate for a couple of the FA’s involved in the passenger incident. They just need to get a couple things looked at.”

Boyfriend Appeals for Sympathy

Andy Kiernan, described as Blair’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, asked followers for compassion in an Instagram story posted Monday. “Pray for Selma,” he wrote. “She has a good heart. She hasn’t yet got the help she needs. Pray that she does.”

He added, “She’s a human being like the rest of us. Pray for Arthur too,” referring to Blair’s 15-year-old son, Arthur Saint Bleick, whom she co-parents with fashion designer Jason Bleick.

It is unclear when Kiernan and Blair began dating or whether they are currently together; the two were photographed publicly in 2024. Representatives for Kiernan and Blair did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.