GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY -- United Airlines is getting a lot of heat after it apparently failed to keep track of a 10-year old girl who flew solo to a Grand Traverse County camp.
10-year old Phoebe Klebahn was on her way to Camp Hayo-Went-Ha just south of Traverse City.
Annie Klebahn, the child's mother says, "I got a frantic phone call from the camp counselor saying Phoebe is not on the flight from Chicago. Do you have any idea what happened?"
The Klebahn's paid United Airlines a $99 fee to assist their daughter during the trip. When the first flight landed in Chicago, the company that the airline outsources to escort minors never showed up and she missed her connecting flight to Cherry Capital Airport.
Annie Klebahn says, "All the worst possible things go through your mind as a mom when you think you have no idea where your child is and she's 2000 miles away."
The Klebahn’s made several calls to United Airlines to figure out what was going on but say they weren't getting answers.
Annie Klebahn says, "They said no she's in Traverse City. So at that point is when I really knew that they had lost her at some level. They didn't know where she was."
Phoebe Klebahn says "I asked several times to call my mom because I knew she'd be worried because no one really knew where I was. They kept saying hang out a minute, we're busy."
United Airlines released a statement to 7&4 News it says, "United conducted a review of the matter involving the Klebahn's daughter and found that she was fully supervised during her entire time at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. It's unfortunate that she missed her connection, and we regret any confusion and stress that may have been placed on her and her family. We certainly appreciate their business and will strive to provide a better travel experience in the future."
The family says they were reimbursed.
Phoebe did eventually make it to Traverse City, but it took the airline three days to get her luggage there.
