An American spokesperson told Insider in a statement that the plane returned to its gate at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport because the family refused to "comply with crew member instructions to remain seated while on an active taxiway and to wear face coverings securely over their nose and mouth."
The American spokesperson said the flight attendants weren't made aware that Pendarvis' son was having breathing problems on board the flight.
Pendarvis did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the incident.
The American spokesperson said the crew made "multiple attempts to reinforce safety requirements" after it saw "a minor in the party laying in the aisle and moving between seats" when the plane was on the taxiway.
Pendarvis wrote in her Instagram story that she let her son walk between the aisle rows so he could see her mother on the other side of the plane while it was lining up for takeoff.
The spokesperson said that it was a legal requirement to remain seated with a seat belt on when the plane is on the taxiway.
The three passengers were rebooked on the next flight to Colorado Springs on the same day after they agreed to "adhere to policies instituted for the safety of our customers and crew," the American spokesperson said.
American Airlines said its flight attendants weren't told that the 2-year-old was having breathing problems.
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