LAKE WORTH, Fla. (CBS News) – — A Florida woman cited for holding a phone in her right hand — a hand she was born without — had her citation dismissed, court records show.
Body camera footage from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office shows Katie Thomas laughing when a deputy pulled her over in February. The deputy claimed he saw her driving with a device in her right hand. Thomas showed him she had no right hand, but he remained skeptical.
“You did not have a phone in your hand?” the deputy asked. “I did not,” Thomas replied. “Hand to god?” he pressed. “Hand to god,” she answered.
Citation issued despite the evidence
Despite the exchange, the deputy still issued Thomas a $116 citation for violating Florida’s wireless communications while driving law and told her she could dispute it.
Thomas said she relies on humor to navigate situations like these. But the stop also sparked a broader conversation about disability awareness.
“What I would love people to take away is that limb difference is normal,” Thomas said. “Somebody who looks different than you is normal. All of that is normal. Normal is whoever you’re most comfortable being.”
Citation dropped ahead of scheduled hearing
A hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday. Court records show the citation was dismissed at the request of the deputy who issued it.