Molly Lensing, Illinois Mother, Explains Why She Put Baby On Airport Floor

Molly Lensing, an Illinois mother has finally spoken out about a photo that went viral in 2016 showing her busy checking her phone while her two-year-old infant lay unattended on the floor at the Colorado airport.

The photo in question was clicked without Lensing’s consent and posted on social media where it was seen by thousands of people. As the photo went viral, Lensing was trolled by many who even called her an “idiot” for choosing to ignore her child while she checked her cellphone.

After a year since the incident, the photo continued to haunt the mother-of-three. Hence, she finally decided to defend her actions in an extensive interview with Today.

"We had the unfortunate luck of being stuck in the middle of the Delta computer shut-down," Lensing said. "Anastasia (Lensing’s youngest daughter) had been held in her carrier for many hours. My arms were tired. She needed to stretch. And I had to communicate with all the family members wondering where the heck we were."

The part-time pediatric nurse explained that she ended up being judged for taking a break from holding onto her daughter in an unprecedented delay flight re-booking process that lasted for 20 hours. Lensing also added that at the time she was terrified that one of her co-workers would come across the viral post and report her to her superiors.

"I absolutely feel as though my privacy was violated," said Lensing. "I had recently started working on a labor floor, and I was terrified of my co-workers or boss seeing the photo and comments and believing that I should no longer work with infants. Thankfully, this never happened."

Mary Katherine Backstrom who blogs at Mom Babble expressed support for Lensing who was unfairly judged for her actions.

"No. Just no," Backstrom wrote in the post. "We do not snap photos of exhausted mothers in the airport and shame them publicly. This is gross and needs to stop. I've seen this woman. My flight delayed, running on zero sleep, fearful that my baby might slip straight from my arms and onto the floor if I nodded off ... I wish she knew that there are mamas who understand exhaustion and imperfection and don't choose to pounce someone in their weakest moment."

Even though the original Facebook post was deleted, copies of the photos keep circulating on social photo and Lensing often come across a rude comment or two about her action. There were also many who managed to track her down on Facebook and give her a piece of their mind about how she had been a bad parent, Independent reported.

However, the mother stated that she does her best to focus on what is more important, that is, putting her energy into raising her kids to the best of her abilities. "I am powerless compared to the internet, and I know that I am the best momma to my girls and I know that I cherish them and am raising them the best I can,” Lensing said.