TSA Finds Knives Hidden In Stuffed Toy At Philly Airport

PHILADELPHIA — Two knives were found hidden in a stuffed toy by Transportation Security Administration agents at the Philadelphia International Airport Monday.

According to the TSA, officers found the knives when the stuffed toy set off an alarm at a checkpoint.

An x-ray machine showed something hidden in the toy, and officers noticed the back of the toy was re-stitched.

TSA said after the stitches were taken out, officers pulled out two knives that were hidden in the middle of the toy's stuffing.

The toy belonged to a 9-year-old boy who was traveling with his mother, who is from Cortland, New York.

The administration said she is likely to face a federal civil penalty for the security violation.

"This is a good example of why we cannot assume that something as innocent-looking as a child’s stuffed animal is not a risk to security," said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. "Someone intentionally attempted to conceal two knives inside this 9-year-old boy’s toy for whatever reason. It was a good catch on the part of our TSA officers."