Selma Blair's Representative Issues Statement on October 11 Arrest

A spokesperson for actress Selma Blair released a statement to PEOPLE addressing her arrest at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Oct. 11. The representative said the public account of the incident has been based largely on a police report and an older headline, and that Blair "experienced a medical emergency on the flight" and "did not intend to harm anyone."

Blair, who publicly disclosed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2018, also has pseudobulbar affect, a condition linked to her MS that can affect her behavior during medical episodes. The spokesperson noted that she travels with a service dog, which was taken from her by authorities.

The actress pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree assault after being charged with allegedly kicking a police officer and a nurse aboard the Delta flight. She was released on bail and is scheduled to appear at a convention in Connecticut later in October.

"A handful of journalists have taken the time to report on Selma as a human being rather than a headline, and we are grateful to them," the statement said.

"There is much more to this story than has been reported, and we ask to consider the entirety of the facts before rushing to judgment, whether in the courtroom or in the court of public opinion," the spokesperson added.

Delta Airlines reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior, and an FBI spokesperson confirmed the agency is investigating the incident. Blair's team also highlighted her recent work on film and television projects, as well as her skin-care, clothing, and eyewear lines, and her advocacy for disability rights and the MS community.