Florida Woman Ticketed for Holding Phone in Her “Right Hand” — But She Was Born Without One

A routine traffic stop in Florida has exploded into a viral national story after a deputy accused a woman of holding a cellphone in her right hand while driving — despite the fact that she does not have a right hand.

The woman, identified as Kathleen “Katie” Thomas, was pulled over in February in Lake Worth Beach by a deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. According to the citation, the deputy claimed he saw her holding and manipulating a cellphone in her “right hand” while driving.

But when Thomas rolled down her window, she immediately showed the deputy that her right arm ends below the elbow.

“Obviously not,” she responded in the now-viral bodycam footage.

The encounter became even more awkward when the deputy allegedly asked her to swear “hand to God” that she was not holding a phone. Thomas then lifted her right arm before the deputy reportedly asked her to raise her left hand instead.

Despite the confusion, Thomas still received a $116 citation for violating Florida’s distracted driving law. Court records later showed the ticket was dismissed for “lack of evidence” after the deputy requested the case be dropped before her scheduled hearing.

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After Thomas posted clips of the stop to TikTok and Instagram, millions of people reacted online, with many criticizing the traffic stop and questioning how the citation was issued in the first place. Others said the incident highlights concerns about assumptions made during traffic enforcement and the need for better awareness around disabilities and limb differences.

Thomas later told reporters the incident left her feeling “very uncomfortable,” though she hopes the viral attention brings more understanding for people with disabilities.