While for many, flying conjures images of pleasant vacations, not everyone views it that way. Shelia Fredrick, a seasoned flight attendant, is well-accustomed to handling challenging situations with passengers. Yet, she never anticipated encountering something life-altering. But that’s precisely what occurred during a flight from Seattle to San Francisco.
While on the plane, Shelia noticed something rather peculiar—a young blonde girl in disheveled clothing seated next to an elderly man in well-kept attire. As she passed by them, she couldn’t help but notice the intense look the girl gave her. It was a gaze that seemed to pierce deep, conveying a sense of urgency.
“I had a peculiar feeling about this girl. I sensed that something was amiss. The stark contrast between the girl’s disheveled appearance and the well-dressed man was the initial giveaway,” Shelia pondered, noting the stark incongruity.
Curiosity led her to initiate a conversation with the man, but his response was defensive, setting off alarm bells in Shelia’s mind.
“At first, I had a gut feeling that something was awry. He appeared significantly older than the girl seated beside him and reacted quite aggressively to any movement nearby. I’m relieved I acted swiftly to potentially save a life.”
After some time, she discreetly placed a pen and paper in the airplane restroom, hoping the girl might utilize them if she needed assistance.
As Shelia passed the girl once more, she discreetly signaled her to go to the restroom. The girl got up and headed to the toilet.
Upon her return, Shelia discovered a note left behind that bore a desperate message: “I need help.”
Without hesitation, she immediately alerted the authorities. Upon the plane’s arrival, the police were already prepared to apprehend the man.
What they uncovered was a heart-wrenching truth: the 14-year-old girl was a victim of human trafficking, having been abducted just two months prior.
The Airline Ambassadors International organization, founded by retired flight attendant Nancy Rivard, plays a vital role in training flight attendants to recognize the signs of human trafficking and take action.
In light of her discovery, Shelia received training from organizations like Airline Ambassadors International to Entertainment Mindenhance her ability to identify signs of human trafficking, enabling her to respond more effectively in the future.