All Good News

Woman Lets Stranded Dad And His Newborn Baby Stay With Her After Airline Denies Them

March 24, 2018

A Good Samaritan saved the day after a Cleveland father was left stranded at an Arizona airport with his newborn daughter because the airline's policy said the baby was too young to fly.

Credit: 3TV/CBS 5

Rubin Swift had just been awarded custody of his baby daughter and flew from Ohio to Phoenix to pick her up.

Swift says he spoke with Frontier Airlines about what he needed to do to get his newborn on the plane, which included a birth certificate and a note from the hospital saying she is clear to fly. Swift told AZ Family he acquired the documentation and then went to the airport with his daughter to get their plane tickets.

However, when he reached the gate they wouldn't let him onboard. Frontier's policy does not allow children less than seven days old from flying.

"I asked for my money. They said it would take seven days to get your money back," Swift said to AZ Family.

Swift says he didn't have any money to stay somewhere or rent a car to drive back to Ohio. He was in a tough spot. But it turns out that Swift has a guardian angel. While his daughter was in the NICU, he met a volunteer who helped out there, Joy Ringhofer.

"I was rocking her when her father came in and we sort of made a connection right away," Ringhofer said.

Swift, while out of options and stuck at the airport, called his new friend for help. He was surprised by her response.

"I didn't expect her to say, 'I'm coming to get you and take you home.' So, I'm thinking, 'She is going to drive me back to Cleveland' but she actually brought me to her house and feeding me and making sure my baby is alright," Swift said.

Credit: 3TV/CBS 5

Swift stayed with Ringhofer until his daughter was 7 days old. It's a bond that both will never forget.

"We're two different colors and she opened up her door and it never was an issue," said Swift. "My color was never an issue. She loves my baby. She held her. My baby was with her all night. Who does that?"

Swift is even calling her the grandmother of his daughter.

"He promised to come back and visit me, and let me see her again," said Ringhofer. "I'm looking forward to that."

Credit: 3TV/CBS 5