Drew difficulty understanding orders to place his feet on the yellow shoe line and follow the TSA agents’ orders. When Dr. Mandy tried to explain his son was severely mentally disabled the TSA agents told him to back off and that they would handle the matter. They were concerned with his adult diaper and kept instructing him to rub his hand up the front and back of his pants.
They then turned their attention to a small plastic toy hammer and ball that Drew carries for comfort. As with children, Drew clings to the toys for a sense of security and has had the toys for years. One agent tapped it on the wall and reportedly said “See, it’s hard. It could be used as a weapon.”
The agents made the family surrender the six-inch hammer despite the trauma to Drew. The agents were convinced that Drew could try to take over the plane with his six-inch toy hammer. Unable to mail the hammer (a common and meaningless suggestion by TSA), they had to allow the agents to throw it out.
It would appear Drew was not the only severely mentally challenged person at the security checkpoint.
Source: Fox Detroit