ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Albuquerque airport aviation police say a mother told them she slapped her crying 13-month-old daughter on a flight between Dallas and Albuquerque because the child kicked her.

The officer says the mother demonstrated how she hit the girl on the face by lightly slapping the officer's arm with an open hand.

A Southwest Airlines flight attendant removed the child from the mother during the flight after she saw the mother slap her and passengers complained.

The incident sparked debate about when to intervene in child discipline.

No charges were filed and the family was allowed to continue their trip.

The flight attendant also says the child had a black eye. Both parents said that came from an earlier dog bite.