Photo shows hidden camera allegedly placed in toilet of American Airlines plane to take pictures of teen girl

A newly released photo shows a camera allegedly placed in the toilet of an aircraft to take pictures of a teen girl.

The camera is alleged to have captured a 14-year-old girl using the bathroom on an American Airlines flight, with her parents understandably livid.

The picture, which was supplied to the New York Post by the angered parents, shows an iPhone taped to the lid of the toilet on board the commercial plane.

The apparent incident took place on American Airlines flight 1441 from Charlotte, North Carolina to Boston on 2 September.

The girl's parents believe a male flight attendant carried out the alleged act, which they described as 'disturbing'.

AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Her father told the New York Post: "I think she’s really angry like we are, that something like this could happen.

"I think there’s a real feeling of violation. I think as a teenage girl she’s a little bit embarrassed that something so intimate as going to the bathroom would be filmed this way."

In the photo, the iPhone appears to be tapped to the lid of the toilet, with red and white tape over the device in an attempt to hide it from those using the facilities.

Only the very top of the iPhone - which is upside down - is not covered in tape. Also, the phone seemingly has its flashlight or camera flash on.

The girl's family claim their daughter was originally waiting in line for the toilet in the coach section of the plane when the male flight attendant approached her.

He apparently told her there was no queue in the first-class restrooms so led her there.

The male - believed to be in his 30s - allegedly told the girl he quickly needed to use the toilet to wash his hands before trash pickup.

The teen then entered the bathroom, quickly noticing the iPhone after she flushed the toilet.

Family handout via New York Post

Rushing back to her seat, the girl showed the picture to her mom and dad, with the latter showing it to the four flight attendants, including the male crew member.

"I remember seeing the male flight attendant’s face just go totally white," the father explained.

Once on the ground, Massachusetts State Police initially responded to the incident, a case that is now being handled by federal authorities.

The male flight attendant involved was removed from the flight, though no arrests have been announced in the case.

An American Airlines spokesperson told UNILAD: "American Airlines flight 1441 from Charlotte (CLT) to Boston (BOS) was met by law enforcement upon arrival. We take this matter very seriously and are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation, as safety and security are our highest priorities."