Flight Attendant Discovers Messy Situation Next To Young Passenger, Shocked By The Unpleasant Find
Note: This story, originally reported in February 2017, is being republished.
A flight attendant’s intuition proved crucial in rescuing a teenage girl from a potential human trafficking situation.
Shelia Frederick, a flight attendant, noticed suspicious behavior from a man traveling with a teenage girl. Whenever Frederick approached them, the girl avoided eye contact and the man answered all questions on her behalf. Frederick observed that while the man was well-dressed, the girl appeared disheveled and unsettled, which triggered her concern. “Something in my gut told me something was off,” Frederick recounted to WTSP.
Frederick discreetly advised the girl to go to the bathroom, where she discovered a note on the mirror asking for help.
Frederick alerted the pilot, who then contacted the authorities. Thanks to her vigilance, the girl was rescued from a dangerous situation.
“I’ve been a flight attendant for a decade, and this experience made me reflect on my training and how I might have missed similar situations before,” Frederick noted.
Since the incident, Frederick has kept in touch with the girl, who had included her phone number on the note and memorized it. The young woman is now pursuing her college education.
Flight attendants receive training to identify signs of human trafficking, which enabled Frederick to recognize the girl’s distress.
“If you notice something suspicious, don’t hesitate to speak up,” Frederick advised.
The flight attendant received widespread praise for her quick thinking and courageous actions.
Comments from readers highlighted their appreciation for Frederick’s bravery:
“I’m really glad the flight attendant took action to help the girl,” one comment on Facebook read. “She did an amazing job. I hope the perpetrator faces justice. This kind of crime is sadly prevalent in our society.”
“I’m grateful and upset that such things happen, but thankful for the flight attendant’s decisive action to ensure the girl’s safety,” another comment said. “It’s shocking that people engage in such acts against children.”
“Your dedication to keeping children safe is commendable. You’re definitely a good person,” another reader added.
Sources: WTSP