Flying is usually associated with enjoyable experiences and exciting travels, but not everyone shares that sentiment. Sheila Fredrick, a flight attendant with years of experience handling difficult passenger situations, never expected to encounter something that would change her life. However, that’s exactly what happened on a flight from Seattle to San Francisco.
When Sheila boarded the plane, she noticed something unusual: a young blonde girl in ragged clothes was seated next to an older man dressed in fine attire. As Sheila passed by, she couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling from the girl’s intense gaze.
“My first impression of the girl was odd. Something felt off,” Sheila recalled. “The biggest clue was how poorly she was dressed compared to the man. It didn’t seem right.”
When Sheila tried to speak to the man, he became aggressive and defensive, raising more suspicions that something was wrong.
“At first, I thought something was wrong,” Sheila said. “He was much older, more put-together than the girl, and his hostile reaction to any movement made me think I had to act fast to save a life.”
A little later, Sheila left a pen and paper in the bathroom, hoping the girl would use them if she needed help.
As Sheila passed by the girl again, she gestured for her to use the restroom. The young woman did so, and when Sheila returned, she found a note that read, “I need help.”
Without hesitation, Sheila contacted the police, who were ready to arrest the man when the plane landed.
It was later revealed that the 14-year-old girl was a victim of human trafficking and had been kidnapped just two months prior.
Sheila had received training from Airline Ambassadors International, a group founded by retired flight attendant Nancy Rivard. The organization teaches flight attendants how to recognize signs of human trafficking, and Sheila’s training helped her identify the signs and take action when she encountered the young girl.