This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Actor Kelsey Grammer and his wife are causing quite a stir for heading off from Los Angeles International Airport Tuesday with their 4-month-old daughter in tow...and no car seat. The infant, Faith, rode on mom Kayte's lap, which is in blatant violation of California law.
Photogs captured the Grammers departing LAX in the black SUV with baby Faith; mom Kayte is seen in the backseat holding the baby and sipping from a Starbucks cup. Gossip hounds are already calling the couple out for "pulling a Britney," as in Britney Spears, who did the same with her infant son a few years back.
No word on if law enforcement is or will become involved regarding the Grammers' family car ride.
Really, guys? With all your money and people helping you somehow you managed to forget a car seat for your baby?
UPDATE Nov. 29, 9:40 a.m.: TMZ spoke with a rep for Kelsey Grammer, who says baby Faith was secured in a car seat before the vehicle left LAX Tuesday. The rep told the gossip site, "at some point, before the family left the airport grounds, Kelsey loaded up a car seat and strapped baby Faith inside before they hit L.A. city streets."
TMZ, who posted video footage showing the same scene as the above photos we posted from PacificCoastNews.com, surmise "the rep may be insinuating that the car circled around the airport and picked up Kelsey, who eventually retrieved a car seat," adding: "It does appear ... after Kayte and the baby drove off, Kelsey went down to baggage claim and picked up the luggage that was checked."
We have reached out to a representative from the California Highway Patrol, who enforce the child car seat and restraint laws in the state, for clarification on any exemptions for livery or taxi service. The law clearly stipulates that any child under 8 must be properly restrained to federal guidelines in the backseat of any vehicle, and that if a parent is present, that parent is responsible. Livery and taxi service is mentioned in the law specifically in the positioning of children over the age of 8.
2:16 p.m. A rep from the CHP responded to our inquiry for clarification, and says there is no exemption to the car seat or safety belt laws in California for taxis/vehicles for hire.
