Hayden Man Charged w/Slapping Tot

In this Oct. 14, 2012, SR file photo, J.R.(Rick) Hundley, president of Unitec Composites and Structures talked about the future of the company in Hayden . Now, Hundley is facing a simple assault charge for allegedly slapping a baby on a Delta flight landing in Atlanta. (SR file photo: Kathy Plonka)

Unitech Composites president also allegedly uttered racial epithet at mother and crying toddler

After demanding that the mother of a crying toddler “shut that (racial epithet deleted) baby up,” a male \passenger allegedly slapped the 19-month-old across the face as a flight prepared to land in Atlanta last Friday evening, The Smoking Gun has learned. The shocking February 8 incident aboard Delta Airlines Flight 721 resulted in Joe Rickey Hundley, 60, being charged with simple assault, according to a U.S. District Court affidavit. Hundley, seen at right, is president of an aircraft parts manufacturer headquartered in Hayden, Idaho. In an interview, Hundley denied striking the toddler or using a racial slur, though he did acknowledge that he “asked the mother to quiet the child.” Hundley, who said he was traveling to Atlanta to visit a hospitalized relative, described himself as “distraught” on the flight, during which he said he consumed a single alcoholic drink/ The Smoking Gun . More here. H/T: KXLY (which provided courtesy booking photo)

• Hundley denies charge when contacted by Spokesman-Review reporter

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