A park executive in Illinois is facing backlash after using a helicopter for her daughter's prom photo shoot in what officials described as a 'reckless' stunt. 

Quintina Brown, Markham Park district chief, was reprimanded by local officials after landing a chopper in Rosener Park on May 8 for her 17-year-old daughter's prom pictures. 

'She was graduating and this was going to be a memorable experience. I just wanted to be able to provide that for her,' Brown told WGN-TV. 

'She wanted to do a prom photo shoot.'

Her daughter, Quamyra Brown, told the outlet that she was 'a little sad and disappointed' by the fallout. 

'I didn't know there was an issue with [the helicopter] being out there,' she added. 

Court documents filed on May 12 claimed that the stunt was an 'unpermitted landing and operation of a helicopter on park district property, near playgrounds and residential homes,' NBC 5 reported. 

Children in the area ran from the scene when the helicopter landed in the park, according to the city's attorney, Burt Odelson.

Markham police told the outlet that the chopper had been flying 'alarmingly' low before landing near an 'active' basketball court.

He added that use of the park district's helicopter 'would never be authorized in a residential neighborhood or jeopardizing public safety,' the outlet reported. 

While Brown claimed there were no children in the area as the chopper landed, and that any ordinance violation was 'something new' to her, Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa called the incident 'reckless.'

'This is what happens when you have no oversight, no governance,' Agpawa said. 'You're not answering to the public as you should.'

According to the pilot of the chopper, his company had been hired by Brown for $800 for a prom photo shoot and short tour. 

Court documents identify the park district as the customer and payee, NBC 5 reported. 

However, Brown told NBC 5 that 'there was no misuse of funds at all,' and said she had paid with her own credit card. 

Police bodycam footage showed the chopper sitting in the park, with Brown's daughter posing in front of it in a purple frock. 

According to the outlet, the only written authorization for the stunt was a letter signed by Brown on April 13 stating that her daughter had been approved to do the shoot. 

Both Brown and the pilot received a citation from police for disorderly conduct and unauthorized landing on public property. 

The case appeared in court on Monday, which saw the judge deny a temporary restraining order prohibiting Brown and the park district from signing contracts without the approval of the park district board. 

Kelly Krauchun, a lawyer for the city, told CBS News: 'The actual field where the helicopter was landed, or did land, was right behind basketball courts, where children were playing basketball, right behind the park district facility fieldhouse, and in a residential neighborhood.'

'It seems pretty self-evident that that's not a good idea to land a helicopter on park district property, but apparently it has to be said,' she continued. 

Mayor Agpawa told WGN-TV: 'We want to make sure that things are safe. We had no notice, nothing. I've landed [helicopters] in neighborhoods. We've always had medical people... the fire department on standby. We've had spotters. We've had distances that were safe...'

Yet, despite the fallout, Brown told the outlet she was pleased that her daughter was happy. 

'I did not think it was going to blow up as much as it did, sadly. But I'm glad [my daughter] was happy and she was able to do her photo shoot despite the unexpected turn of events that transpired and unfortunately went viral,' she said. 

'It was super amazing. I had such a great time,' her daughter told the outlet. 'So I'm thankful for my mom. She brought everything together, so I'm thankful for that.' 

The Daily Mail reached out to Quintina Brown, Markham City Council and mayor Agpawa's Office for comment.