Years ago, a photo of Molly Lensing went viral online without her permission, and ever since, the Illinois mom says it has continued to shadow her life. Now, she’s speaking out to share what really happened.
The image was taken in 2016 at a Colorado airport while Molly and her 2-month-old daughter, Anastasia, were trying to get home after visiting family. In the photo, Molly is seen checking her phone as her newborn rests on a blanket on the floor.
Almost instantly, strangers online criticized her, claiming she cared more about her phone than her baby. The picture was turned into memes with harsh captions—one even quoting Einstein about “technology creating a generation of idiots.”
But Molly explains the reality was far different. She and her infant had been caught in the middle of Delta’s massive computer outage. After endless delays and multiple rebookings, she spent more than 20 exhausting hours in airports with her newborn.
“Anastasia had been in my arms or strapped to me the entire time,” Molly shared in a 2017 interview. “My arms were numb, she needed to stretch, and I had to update family who were frantic about where we were.”
Months later, Molly was horrified to discover the picture circulating online. Once her identity was revealed, she began receiving messages—some supportive, but many cruel, labeling her a “bad mom.”
“I felt violated,” she admitted. As a pediatric nurse who had just started working in labor and delivery, she worried colleagues might see the image and question her ability to care for infants. Thankfully, her fears never became reality.
Author Mary Katherine Backstrom eventually came to her defense, posting in her community that no one should publicly shame an exhausted mother. “We do not take photos of women at their weakest and humiliate them,” Backstrom wrote. “Any mom knows what that kind of exhaustion feels like.”
Though Molly says she doesn’t think about the photo daily, it still resurfaces online from time to time. When it does, she leans on loved ones who remind her of the truth.
“I can’t control the internet,” Molly said. “But I know I’m a good mom, I adore my girls, and I’m raising them with all the love I have.”
